Pope Francis funeral: Trump, Zelenskyy, Prince William among leaders attending
The funeral of Pope Francis will bring together President Donald Trump and other world leaders converge in Rome as the Catholic Church mourns the head of the Holy See.
Francis died Monday at 88 years old following a life-threatening battle with respiratory ailments. His memorial service is set for Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), and his body will be buried at Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major in a simple wooden casket, per his request.
The president and First Lady Melania Trump both confirmed their attendance in Rome. Vice President JD Vance said that he did not expect to attend the funeral, though details of who would be in the U.S. delegation were not finalized. Vance was one of the last officials to meet with the pontiff at the Vatican just a day before his death.
Also in attendance are the presidents of France, Brazil, Ukraine, and the Philippines, as well as prime ministers of Italy and the United Kingdom, and Germany's chancellor, among many more world leaders. Royals are also reportedly on the guest list, from Wales' Prince William to Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
Here's who is expected to attend the memorial service on Saturday.
President Donald Trump
Prince William of Wales
Irish President Michael Higgins, Prime Minister Micheál Martin
Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia
French President Emmanuel Macron
Argentina President Javier Milei
Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Polish President Andrzej Duda
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen
Members of Congress
Both the U.S. House and Senate are sending a bipartisan delegation of Catholic lawmakers to attend the Pope's funeral.
The Senate delegation, led by Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME, will include senators Dick Durbin, D-IL, Mike Rounds, R-SD, Edward Markey, D-MA, and Eric Schmitt, R-MO.
The House delegation, led by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, will include representatives French Hill, R-AR, Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, Brendan Boyle, D-PA, Ann Wagner, R-MO, Tom Suozzi, D-NY, John Joyce, R-PA, Pete Stauber, R-MN, Scott Fitzgerald, R-WI, and Laura Gillen, D-NY.
When is Pope Francis' funeral?
Pope Francis' funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) Saturday, April 26 in St. Peter's Square in Rome.
Prior to the service, the pope's body will be taken at 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday, April 23, into the adjacent St. Peter's Basilica in a procession led by cardinals.
Contributing: Eric Lagatta, Paste BN