As the Vatican prepares for the funeral of Pope Francis this Saturday, officials are working to manage a delicate diplomatic balancing act in the midst of a tense geopolitical climate. The ceremony, in line with the late pontiff’s wishes, will be simple and modest, but the presence of global leaders at the service demands careful attention to avoid diplomatic tensions.
With 170 international delegations expected, Vatican organizers have decided on a seating arrangement designed to prevent awkward encounters. Following the protocol used at the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, delegations will be seated in alphabetical order, using French, not Italian, to avoid placing leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy near each other. The seating plan aims to sidestep potential diplomatic discomfort, especially after Zelenskyy recently expressed interest in meeting Trump during the ceremony. While no official meetings are confirmed, informal talks between the two presidents remain a possibility.
Exceptions to the alphabetical order include representatives from Italy and Argentina, Pope Francis’ home country, who will have prime seating in the front row. Argentine President Javier Milei is expected to attend despite previous personal tensions with the late pope. Italy will send one of the largest delegations, including President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, alongside several high-ranking officials.
Other royal families, including those from Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and Monaco, will also be in attendance. Crown Prince William of Wales will represent the UK, accompanied by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Spain’s royals, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, will attend with three ministers, though Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will be absent. The Dutch royal family, including King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, will not attend due to a scheduling conflict with King’s Day.
Notably absent will be Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, both under international arrest warrants for war crimes. While Italian media speculated that Putin might avoid arrest if he were to attend, the country’s Justice Minister confirmed that the arrest warrant would be activated if Putin entered Italian territory. Russia will be represented by Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, while Israel will send Ambassador Yaron Sideman in place of Netanyahu.
Attendees have been asked to adhere to strict dress code guidelines, with men wearing dark suits, black ties, and a badge on the left lapel, and women wearing black dresses with gloves and veils, with the only allowed accessory being a string of pearls.
The funeral will take place under the watchful eyes of a world marked by political division, and the Vatican is keen to ensure that the occasion remains focused on honoring Pope Francis’ legacy while navigating a complex diplomatic landscape.
