The funeral

From Trump to Milei and Macron. Here's who will (and who won't) be at Pope Francis' funeral in Rome

US president orders flags at half-mast in honour of the pontiff, but stirs controversy over the presence of the Easter bunny

Aggiornato il 23 aprile 2025

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Verso il Conclave: i potenziali cardinali papabili per la successione di Francesco

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"Melania and I are going to Pope Francis' funeral in Rome," announced Donald Trump on his social Truth. And when asked by reporters 'he preached tolerance towards migrants. Do you agree?" he replied "yes, I agree, I agree".

On the occasion of the Easter Egg Roll, the traditional Easter egg feast at the White House, the tycoon pointed out that Francis was "a good man, who worked hard and loved the world". The pontiff had harshly criticised the US president's anti-migrant policies. "Rest in peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all those who loved him!" had been the Potus' first comment on Truth.

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Papa Francesco, Trump: "Un brav'uomo, ha lavorato sodo e ha amato il mondo"

Meanwhile, however, social media was in an uproar. The announcement of fixing American flags at half-mast while speaking from the balcony of the White House with, in addition to Melania, a person dressed as a rabbit (the Easter Bunny) waving for the traditional children's egg hunt in the garden of the presidency did not go unnoticed.

Trump ordina le bandiere a mezz'asta negli USA per Papa Francesco

Leaders present

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In addition to Trump, the French President Emmanuel Macron, the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (the German delegation will be led by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier) will also be present at Francis' funeral.

Also expected are Javier Milei, President of Argentina, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, .

Prince William is expected to lead the UK delegation whose line-up has not yet been confirmed, but the presence of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is certain.

L’ultimo saluto a papa Francesco: le personalità presenti

Photogallery14 foto

Speaking of monarchies, Spanish kings Felipe VI and Letizia will attend Pope Francis' funeral, leading the Spanish delegation to Rome, as will Philippe and Matilde, King and Queen of the Belgians.

The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, will of course be present. The premier cancelled her international engagements planned for the weekend in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Also expected is the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople,Bartholomew I.

Taiwan's president,William Lai, instructed former vice-president Chen Chien-jen to attend the funeral. This was reported by the Foreign Ministry, quoted by local media. Lai, therefore, will not travel to the Vatican to pay his respects to the leader of the only diplomatic ally of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Europe. In 2005, Chen Shui-bian, president of the island from 2000 to 2008, attended the funeral mass for John Paul II. The decision could now pave the way for China, which has informal relations with the Holy See re-established by Pope Bergoglio, to send a delegation.

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