Pope Francis funeral is scheduled for Saturday, and officials from India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union are expected to attend.
World leaders from all around the globe are scheduled to attend Pope Francis’s funeral at St. Peter’s Square on Saturday.
Several heads of state, royals and top officials are set to mark their presence at the gathering in Vatican city at 10 AM local time.
The diplomatic fair that draws the who’s who of the world serves as a ripe environment for impromptu diplomacy.
The last such event was held in 2005 at the funeral of Pope John Paul II which was termed as the “diplomatic event of the year” by the Centre of Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California.
The gathering is slated to house leaders from various nations including India, UK, USA, Brazil among others.
Marking India’s representation at the gathering, President Droupadi Murmu will be visiting Vatican city to attend the state funeral and pay her respects.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William will be attending the funeral to pay their tributes.
Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will also be present at the gathering.
The south-American nation possesses the largest Catholic population and had also declared a seven day mourning following the pope’s death.
US President Donald Trump will be conducting his first foreign trip since he commenced his second term by attending the funeral.
The Philippines that has over 80 percent of its population as Catholic will also have attendance by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Other notable figures include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UN Security General Antonio Guterres and several European heads of state.
