Thousands of mourners and dozens of world leaders are attending the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica, following his death at age 88.
Dozens of world leaders and thousands of mourners are gathering for the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The funeral Mass is taking place on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the Catholic Church’s most sacred sites, with more than 50 world leaders and 11 reigning monarchs attending.
U.S. President Donald Trump is in Rome for the ceremony — his first foreign trip of his second term. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in Rome, his spokesman confirmed.
Pope Francis died after suffering a stroke just one day after he appeared in the same square to offer a blessing to the faithful at the high point of the Christian calendar.
Over the past three days, more than 250,000 people have filed past the pope’s body, which was laid out in a coffin before the altar inside the vast, 16th-century St. Peter’s Basilica.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter and Italy’s First Lady Laura Mattarella, arrived solemnly at St. Peter’s Square ahead of the funeral Mass for Pope Francis. The president's presence reflected the nation's deep mourning and enduring connection with the Vatican.
Britain was represented by Prince William, who walked with quiet reverence among the attendees, honoring the pontiff’s legacy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer, were also present, joining other global leaders in paying tribute to Pope Francis.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter and Italy’s First Lady Laura Mattarella, arrived early to represent the host nation. Britain's Prince William walked quietly among the mourners, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer, offered their respects.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei, representing the pope’s homeland, was seen making a heartfelt gesture ahead of the ceremony. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, alongside his wife Elke Büdenbender and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, also attended, highlighting the broad European representation.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden made their way through the square, reflecting the pope’s significant impact on American Catholics and global diplomacy. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres walked solemnly, paying tribute to a leader who often championed peace, human rights, and care for the poor on the world stage.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron with his wife Brigitte Macron were also present among the mourners.
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met ahead of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, according to sources.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance took part in a Good Friday service at St. Peter’s Basilica, arriving with his wife and three young children just days after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week at age 88.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and other prominent figures expressed heartfelt condolences following the death of Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 88 in Vatican City after a period of declining health.
Pope Francis’ 2015 U.S. visit inspired hope for renewal, but his decade-long papacy saw rising divisions, as conservative U.S. Catholics clashed with him over immigration, climate, and LGBTQ+ rights. He died at 88, leaving a complex legacy.
Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the Catholic Church is preparing to elect his successor — a pontiff likely to reflect a more centrist or traditionally conservative vision, according to church analysts, according to the New York Post.
Top Iranian and U.S. negotiators began a new round of indirect talks on Saturday in Muscat, seeking to broker a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear programme, as President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement.
Foreign ministers from Central Asia and China gathered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Saturday for the sixth meeting under the Central Asia-China format, aiming to deepen regional cooperation and address shared challenges.
Thousands gathered under a bright Roman sky on Saturday to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose humble legacy and global influence were celebrated in a historic Vatican ceremony.
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met ahead of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, according to sources.
The global movement against sex trafficking has lost a key voice, as Virginia Giuffre, a prominent figure in exposing Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, has died in Australia at the age of 41.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
A deadly attack targeting tourists in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory has left at least 20 feared dead, marking the deadliest incident against civilians in the region for years, according to security sources.
Top Iranian and U.S. negotiators began a new round of indirect talks on Saturday in Muscat, seeking to broker a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear programme, as President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement.
Foreign ministers from Central Asia and China gathered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Saturday for the sixth meeting under the Central Asia-China format, aiming to deepen regional cooperation and address shared challenges.
Thousands gathered under a bright Roman sky on Saturday to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose humble legacy and global influence were celebrated in a historic Vatican ceremony.
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met ahead of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, according to sources.
The global movement against sex trafficking has lost a key voice, as Virginia Giuffre, a prominent figure in exposing Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, has died in Australia at the age of 41.
Top Iranian and U.S. negotiators began a new round of indirect talks on Saturday in Muscat, seeking to broker a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear programme, as President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement.
Foreign ministers from Central Asia and China gathered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Saturday for the sixth meeting under the Central Asia-China format, aiming to deepen regional cooperation and address shared challenges.
Thousands gathered under a bright Roman sky on Saturday to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose humble legacy and global influence were celebrated in a historic Vatican ceremony.
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met ahead of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, according to sources.
The global movement against sex trafficking has lost a key voice, as Virginia Giuffre, a prominent figure in exposing Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, has died in Australia at the age of 41.
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