Pope Francis's funeral: Who is attending?

Numerous leaders will travel to Vatican City, the papal enclave surrounded by Rome, for the funeral services of Pope Francis. The beloved religious head died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday after a long series of health complications stemming from a chronic lung disease.

The day prior to his death, Francis blessed groups that flocked to St. Peter’s Square, sending down prayers from the balcony of his residence. 

Foreign heads of state will now gather at the same space Saturday to remember his decades of service to the Catholic Church. 

Below are the names of guests who are expected to attend the funeral of Pope Francis:

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump

President Trump announced Monday that he and first lady Melania Trump would be attending the funeral of Francis. The president confirmed his attendance on Truth Social after welcoming guests to the South Lawn for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. 

“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there,” he wrote.

Former President Biden and Jill Biden

Former President Biden and former first lady Jill Biden announced Friday that they will travel to Rome for the memorial service, per a spokesperson.

“He was unlike any who came before him,” Joe Biden wrote in a post on social platform X just hours after the pontiff's death. “Above all, he was a Pope for everyone. He was the People’s Pope — a light of faith, hope and love.”

Biden was only the second Roman Catholic after former President Kennedy to serve as president. He met with the pope on numerous occasions after Francis became the Vatican's leader in 2013, including in a private one-on-one visit between the two in 2021 — a few months after he was elected to the White House.

Bipartisan congressional delegation

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) shared Friday that a bipartisan group of House lawmakers is expected to attend Francis's funeral.

The group of 10 legislators, led by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), are Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.), Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), John Joyce (R-Pa.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.) and Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), according to a press release.

“I am honored to be asked to lead the Congressional delegation of the House Representatives to attend the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican this weekend,” Scalise wrote in a statement. “The Holy Father humbly devoted his life in service to the Church, and he was dedicated to spreading the Gospel of the Lord to the world.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is slated to attend the funeral services. 

“Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty,” the British leader wrote after Francis's death.

“Yet he never lost the faith-fuelled hope of a better world.”

French President Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said he will also be in attendance at the Vatican to mourn the loss of the Catholic leader.

“From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. To unite Humans with each other and with nature. May this hope perpetually rise beyond him,” Macron wrote in a statement on X.

“To all Catholics, to the grieving world, together with my wife, we turn our thoughts,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to be present at the funeral services for Francis as well, despite the shattered state of his war-stricken homeland.

“Millions of people around the world are mourning the tragic news of Pope Francis’s passing. His life was devoted to God, to people, and to the Church,” Zelensky wrote online.

“He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!”

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will attend the funeral of Pope Francis with his wife first lady Janja Lula da Silva.

“With his simplicity, courage and empathy, Francis brought the issue of climate change to the Vatican. He vigorously criticized the economic models that have led humanity to produce so many injustices. He showed that this same model is what creates inequality between countries and people. And he has always stood by those who need it most: the poor, refugees, young people, the elderly and victims of war and all forms of prejudice,” the Brazilian president wrote in a statement.

“The times Janja and I were blessed with the opportunity to meet Pope Francis and be warmly welcomed by him, we were able to share our ideals of peace, equality and justice. Ideals that the world has always needed. And will always need.” 

Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Italy President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have both confirmed their presence at the pope's funeral.

“Pope Francis has returned to the house of the Father. This news saddens us deeply, because a great man and a great pastor have left us. I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering,” Meloni wrote in a statement on X.

“In the meditations of the Via Crucis, he reminded us of the power of the gift, which makes everything flourish again and is capable of reconciling what in the eyes of man is irreconcilable.”