Pope Francis’ funeral unites world leaders, politicians, royalty, 400,000 mourners

THE funeral of Pope Francis has become a significant global event, bringing together world leaders, politicians, royalty, and thousands of Catholic faithful from across the world.

At least 400,000 people gathered in Vatican City to pay their final respects, lining the streets as the Pope’s coffin was carried to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial, according to Italy’s Interior Minister.

World leaders and dignitaries in attendance included U.S. President Donald Trump; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky; French President Emmanuel Macron; Argentine President Javier Milei; Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Prince William of the United Kingdom. They joined mourners in St. Peter’s Square in a historic moment of unity and reflection.

Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome and revered head of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88—just one day after participating in Easter Sunday celebrations.

Ahead of the funeral, President Zelensky met with President Trump inside St. Peter’s Basilica, a meeting he described as having “potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.” Zelensky also held separate talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Macron, emphasising efforts to “bring peace to Ukraine” through ongoing diplomatic dialogue.

Nigeria was represented by a five-member delegation assigned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Other members included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji (President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria), Archbishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto, and Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja.

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