From Trump to Biden, Here Are the Key Figures Who Attended Pope Francis’ Funeral
by Callum Sutherland · TIMEWorld leaders gathered on Saturday, April 26, in Vatican City to pay their respects at the funeral of Pope Francis. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church died on Monday, April 21. He was 88. His passing came after continued health issues, which saw him endure a five-week hospital stay, from which he was released on March 23.
Thousands of people gathered outside St. Peter’s Basilica to observe the ceremony.
Figures from all sides of the political spectrum were seated for the funeral service, which saw both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden in attendance.
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Ahead of the ceremony, Trump was pictured sharing a private meeting with Zelensky. Their first in-person meeting since they clashed in the Oval Office in February.
Here’s a look at some of the key world figures who attended Pope Francis’ funeral:
Donald and Melania Trump
Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, sat in the front row of the service, alongside other worldwide leaders.
The President had previously confirmed via his social media platform, Truth Social, that himself and Melania would be in attendance.
Trump's Vice President, J.D. Vance, met with the Pope on Easter Sunday in Rome, a day before his passing. The brief meeting came amid prickly relations between the Papacy and the Trump Administration, which had worsened in recent months as Pope Francis openly criticized U.S. policy on deportation.
Joe and Jill Biden
Former President Joe Biden sat alongside his wife, Jill, during the service, some rows behind Trump.
The 46th U.S. President is a practicing Catholic and shared a close relationship with the late Pope.
Biden and Pope Francis last met during the G7 Summit in June 2024. During the final days of his presidency in January, Biden awarded the Pope the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. The announcement was made during a telephone call between the two, after Biden’s hopes to meet in-person were cancelled on account of the Los Angeles wildfires.
Upon learning of the Pope's death, Biden issued a statement via social media, saying: "He made all feel welcome and seen by the Church. He promoted equity and an end to poverty and suffering across the globe. And above all, he was a Pope for everyone. He was the People's Pope—a light of faith, hope, and love."
Read More: Biden Shared Grief With Pope Francis. Trump Harbored Grievances Toward Him
Prince William
King Charles III’s eldest son, Prince William represented his father, who is head of the Anglican church, at the funeral in Rome, just as Charles represented the late Queen Elizabeth II at the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.
The Prince of Wales’ attendance in place of the King is a modern tradition, and a statement to further establish William’s role as future king.
Keir Starmer
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also represented the United Kingdom at the service, beside his wife Victoria. He was seated in front of the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The Prime Minister had previously expressed condolences for Pope Francis after his death, stating: “His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was often courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.”
Volodymyr Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the service at St. Peter’s Basilica, sitting nearby Trump.
Zelensky had paid tribute to the late Pope on his official X account, saying: “We remember his prayers for peace in Ukraine. Our state will be represented in Rome at the farewell ceremony this coming Saturday.”
Pope Francis and the Ukrainian President last met in October 2024, during Zelensky’s European diplomatic tour.
Read More: The Enduring Connection Between Pope Francis and a Parish in Gaza
Michael D. Higgins and Micheál Martin
Representations from Catholic-majority countries were in attendance, as Irish President Michael D. Higgins was present at the service on April 26, alongside Taoiseach [Prime Minister] Micheál Martin.
On April 22, Higgins paid tribute to the late Pope by signing a book of condolences for the Pontiff in Dublin, Ireland.
Ursula von der Leyen
Another key European figure, E.U. Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, was present for Pope Francis’ funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica. She later shared a picture of herself greeting President Trump, saying: "Today, leaders from around the world gathered to pay their final tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis. I had good exchanges with several of them."
Javier Milei
Javier Milei, the conservative President of Pope Francis’ native Argentina, travelled to Rome for Saturday’s funeral service.
Milei was an open critic of the Pope’s views, saying in a statement marking the Pope's passing: “Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me.”
Upon the news of the Pontiff’s passing, seven days of national mourning was announced in Argentina.
Read More: The Climate Pope: Francis and His Environmental Legacy
Giorgia Meloni
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reportedly cancelled a visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in order to attend Saturday’s funeral.
Italian president Sergio Mattarella was also in attendance at the funeral.
In a prior statement paying tribute to Pope Francis, Meloni said: “I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased not even during times of trial and suffering.”
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia
Representing another Catholic-majority country, the head of the Spanish Crown—King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia—were in attendance for Pope Francis’ funeral, sitting beside Estonian President Alar Karis and nearby Trump.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia both signed a book of condolences for the Pope in Madrid earlier in the week. President Pedro Sanchez will reportedly not be attending the service, although he has yet to publicly comment on this.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Sitting behind King Felipe and Queen Letizia was Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the head of state for Asia’s largest Catholic population.
Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, 67, is one of the top contenders to be appointed as the next Pope. If elected, he would be the first from Asia in centuries and, after Pope Francis, the second non-European Pontiff in more than 1200 years.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
A well known and longtime friend of Pope Francis, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attended St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday to represent the world’s largest Catholic population.
During da Silva’s three terms as President, he met with the late Pope on a number of occasions. Offering his condolences after Pope Francis’ passing, the Brazilian official said: “Humanity has lost a voice of compassion and respect.”
António Guterres
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres paid his respects to the late Pope after his passing, and attended the funeral in Rome.
In a prior statement, Guterres said: “He was a transcendent voice for peace, human dignity and social justice… our divided and discordant world will be a much better place if we follow his example of unity and mutual understanding in our own actions.”
Andrzej Duda
Polish President Andrzej Duda was present on the day, after he was confirmed to be attending the funeral service via an official update shared on X.
In a statement made on the day of the Pope’s passing, Duda wrote: “He was a great apostle of Mercy, in which he saw an answer to the challenges of the modern world.”
Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron, joined by his wife Brigitte, sat across the aisle from Trump at the funeral.
Although Pope Francis was notably absent from the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris last December, his subsequent visit to the French island of Corsica proved to be his final trip abroad.
Olaf Scholz
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended the funeral and was seated beside Prince William.
Scholz was also joined by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Rome.
Peter Pellegrini
Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini was in attendance, having previously offered his condolences upon the Pope's passing.
In a statement, Pellegrini had said: “We have been left by a man who enchanted everyone with his humanity, humility and wisdom.”
Alexander Van der Bellen
The Austrian President was present at the Pope's funeral. In a prior statement commemorating Pope Francis, Van der Bellen said: “For me, the name Francis will always stand for closeness and humanity.”
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attended the Pontiff’s funeral.
Upon learning of Pope Francis’ death, they offered their condolences and thanked him for his most recent visit to Belgium in September 2024.
Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, attended the funeral on behalf of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said the Abu Dhabi media office.
Several other government leaders joined the Crown Prince at the funeral, though he was seated in the front row.
“His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan described the late Pope as a symbol of human fraternity, cultural coexistence, and interfaith dialogue, underscoring that His Holiness’ humanitarian legacy will continue to inspire future generations in upholding the values of tolerance and mutual understanding,” read a statement from the media office.
Alar Karis
In the front row beside President Trump, Estonian President Karis could be seen.
Karis posted photos of him honoring the Pope at the service on social media, including one photo of him shaking Trump’s hand.
“His legacy and message will live on in hearts around the world,” Karis said of the Pope.
Daniel Noboa
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa attended the funeral, sitting beside the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the King and Queen of Spain.
Noboa had previously paid tribute to the Pope via social media, writing: "From Ecuador, we join in prayer with the entire church and the millions of faithful who today mourn the passing of Pope Francis."
Queen Mary
Queen Mary of Denmark was present at the funeral, representing both herself and her husband, King Frederik, who has spent much of the week carrying out work engagements in Japan.
Droupadi Murmu
India’s President Droupadi Murmu sat beside Ukraine's President Zelensky during the ceremony.
After Pope Francis' passing, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, posted a tribute on social media, though he was not at the service on April 26.
"I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development," Modi said of the late Pope. "His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.
—With reporting by Rebecca Schneid