Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
World Leaders Gather to Honor Pope Francis at Upcoming Funeral
Mourners are queuing for a final opportunity to view the remains of Pope Francis as preparations intensify for his funeral. A prominent UK cardinal predicts the service will skillfully manage the assembly of global leaders arriving to pay their respects to the late pontiff. The meticulously planned funeral is expected to draw significant attention worldwide.
Dignitaries Arrive for Requiem Mass
Among those scheduled to attend the requiem mass is former U.S. President Donald Trump, in addition to numerous other dignitaries from across the globe.
- Tens of thousands of individuals have waited in line to pass by Pope Francis’s open coffin in St. Peter’s Basilica.
- The three-day lying-in-state concludes Friday evening.
Funeral Preparations Underway
Final arrangements for the funeral are proceeding, with an altar prepared and seating arranged for cardinals and visiting heads of state.
Security and Media Presence
- Italian police are present to manage the expected crowds.
- Scaffolding has been constructed to provide optimal viewing positions for international media covering the globally anticipated funeral in St. Peter’s Square.
Expected Attendees
Large crowds are anticipated to gather in St Peter’s Square for Saturday’s funeral. High-ranking members of the Catholic Church and prominent political figures will convene to offer a final tribute to the late Pope, who passed away at the age of 88.
Among those expected to be present are:
- UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
- The Prince of Wales (representing the King)
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
- Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin
- Irish President Michael D. Higgins
President Higgins, accompanied by his wife Sabina, visited the basilica on Friday to pay their respects.
Public viewing concluded at 6 p.m. local time, with final viewings ending at 7 p.m.
Public Turnout
Approximately 150,000 individuals have visited Pope Francis’s coffin over the past three days.
On Friday, an emergency alert was issued on phones in Vatican City, cautioning that public access to St. Peter’s Square would be restricted beginning at 5 p.m. that day.
Cardinal Nichols Comments on Event Management
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of Catholics in England and Wales, remarked that the organizers of the large-scale event are highly skilled at managing complex gatherings.
Speaking from Rome, the Archbishop of Westminster noted that the funeral would “without a doubt” be another masterful demonstration of event management. “The combination of Rome and the Holy See are geniuses at dealing with these significant occasions,” he added.
“I think they’ve been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome – that they know how to deal with big egos,” he stated.
“Every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday, will go home reasonably content.”