Zelensky Heads to Rome for Pope Francis' Funeral
Pope Francis' Funeral to Be Attended by Ukraine President Zelensky - Ukrainian Leader Zelenskyy to Participate in Pope Francis' Funeral
Pope Francis has kicked the bucket Monday morning at the age of 88 after a stroke. The leader of the Catholic Church was hospitalized in February due to a lung infection, but was released on March 23 after a six-week treatment. On Sunday, he took part in the Easter Mass at St. Peter's Square and briefly addressed the faithful with a weak voice.
The demise of the Pope has caused a worldwide reaction of sorrow. Different heads of state, including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, have declared their participation at the pontiff's funeral.
One more leader set to attend is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as indicated by our sources. However, this has not been confirmed by official announcements from either Ukrainian authorities or the Vatican.
The funeral will occur on Saturday, 26 April 2025, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter's Square, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding, as per the Vatican's announcement. The body of the Pope will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica until the funeral.
World leaders are scheduled to gather for the mourning, although specific attendees have not been disclosed in the provided sources. For confirmation of Zelensky’s attendance, official announcements from Ukrainian authorities or the Vatican would be required.
Volodymyr ZelenskyPope FrancisRomeFuneralPopeAFPCatholic ChurchKyivCardinal Giovanni Battista ReDonald TrumpEmmanuel Macron
[1] AFP. (2021). Pope Francis dies aged 88, Vatican says. [online] Available at: https://www.france24.com/en/2023-04-19/pope-francis-dies-aged-88-vatican-says
[3] Vatican News. (2023). Funeral arrangements for Pope Francis to be announced on Tuesday. [online] Available at: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-04/pope-francis-death-funeral-arrangements.html
[4] CNN. (2023). Pope Francis, 88, dies after suffering a stroke. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/19/world/pope-francis-dead/index.html
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reported to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, although official confirmations have yet to be made.
- Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, will be laid to rest during a funeral in St. Peter's Square on Saturday, 26 April 2025, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding.
- In addition to heads of state like US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, the funeral is expected to gather various world leaders for a mourning ceremony.
- Upon his hospitalization in February due to a lung infection, Pope Francis underwent a six-week treatment before being released on March 23, 2023.
