Heads of state and royalty will begin arriving in Rome this Friday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, which will take place in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Yet, it will be the poor and humble who offer the first farewell in a small basilica across the city — a tribute that mirrors the simplicity and disdain for pomp that defined his papacy.
Among the leaders expected to arrive in the Italian capital are U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei. Their visit coincides with the final day of the pope’s lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, where thousands have gathered to pay their respects before the coffin is sealed on Friday night.
The Vatican has confirmed the participation of 130 delegations, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs.
Since Monday, tens of thousands of mourners have waited in line for hours to say goodbye to the pontiff, who passed away at the age of 88 following a stroke. The unexpectedly large turnout prompted the Vatican to extend the basilica’s opening hours into the night.
By Friday morning, more than 128,000 people had filed past the open casket, placed before the basilica’s main altar. Some knelt in prayer, while others, despite requests not to, lifted their phones to snap a final photo of the late pope, dressed in red vestments, a bishop’s mitre, and holding a rosary in his hands.
The basilica remained open for most of the second night, closing for just a few hours. Mourners began gathering before dawn and rushed into the square as soon as security reopened access.
Giovanni Guarino drove from Naples with his girlfriend to bid farewell to the pope. “I was touched by his work for young people and the underprivileged. I hope his successor follows in his footsteps,” he said.
The three-day public viewing is scheduled to end at 6 p.m. on Friday — an hour earlier than originally announced — after which the simple wooden coffin will be sealed.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, acting as camerlengo or interim administrator of the Vatican, will preside over the closing. A white cloth will be placed over the pope’s face, and a pouch containing coins minted during his papacy, along with a summary of his life and work, will be placed inside the coffin.
Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, is expected to arrive in Rome after the sealing of the pontiff’s casket.
