The funeral of Pope Francis drew an extraordinary assembly of global power and prominence. Held in the heart of St. Peter’s Square, the somber occasion saw the attendance of 50 heads of state, 10 reigning monarchs and dignitaries from across the world, a testament to the profound influence of the first Latin American pope. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, died on April 21 at age 88, leaving behind a legacy of humility and reform.
Former U.S. Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump, alongside their wives Jill Biden and Melania Trump, were among the most closely watched attendees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose arrival sparked spontaneous applause from the crowd, also attended. Royal attendees included King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, and Monaco’s Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.
Pope Francis, true to his values, rejected traditional burial opulence. He will rest in a simple wooden coffin at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore—humble in death as he was in life.
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Donald & Melania Trump: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Donald & Melania Trump: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Vatican city Pope Francis funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square
Image Credit: Future Publishing via Getty Imag VATICAN CITY – APRIL 26,2025: US former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden arrive for late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square in The Vatican (Photo credit should read Marco Ravagli/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
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Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images Former US President Joe Biden (L) and his wife Jill Biden (C) sit with other attendees ahead of the late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square at The Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Prince William: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images Prince William, Prince of Wales arrives at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images French President’s wife Brigitte Macron arrives for late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
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Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images France’s President Emmanuel Macron (R) and his wife Brigitte Macron attend late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square in The Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP) (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images)
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King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Emmanuel Macron & Brigitte Macron: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images France’s President Emmanuel Macron and France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Olena Zelenska and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images Olena Zelenska (l) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (r) are seen in Rome, Italy on 26 April, 2025.
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Olena Zelenska: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images Olena Zelenska before the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican on April 26, 2025.
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Joe & Jill Biden: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images Former U.S. First Lady Jill Biden and Former U.S. President Joe Biden arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Volodymyr Zelensky: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Queen Rania of Jordan: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Argentina’s General Secretary of the Presidency Karina Milei, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Queen Rania Of Jordan and King Abdullah II of Jordan attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) US President Donald Trump, US First Lady Melania Trump, Estonian President Alar Karis, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) US President Donald Trump, US First Lady Melania Trump, Estonian President Alar Karis, King Felipe VI of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Donald & Melania Trump: World Leaders, Royals, and Millions Mourn Pope Francis in Historic Vatican Farewell
Image Credit: Getty Images US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.