The Death and Funeral of Pope Francis

[Somebody]

According to the Dutch news (NOS) in the last 50 years (and I doubt before that) no member of the Dutch Royal House ever attended the funeral of a pope. I wouldn't be surprised however if the Duke of Parma attends.

 

[Stefan]

So far the only royals who have confirmed attendance are the Belgian and Spanish Monarchs and consorts .
Sir Keir Starmer,the UK's PM confirmed he will be attending.
Other confirmations so far :
President Emmanuel Macron of France
The current US President and First Lady
Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa from the EU
The President of Argentina
The Ukrainian President is reportedly planning to attend (not confirmed)
Who will attend Pope Francis' funeral? Confirmed dignitaries and royals revealed

The Norwegian Crown Prince is in Poland on a 3 day visit ,his mother was just discharged from hospital and I can't see the king attending.

The german President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the acting Chancellor Olaf Scholz are also confirmed to attend

 

[Blog Real]

According to the Dutch news (NOS) in the last 50 years (and I doubt before that) no member of the Dutch Royal House ever attended the funeral of a pope. I wouldn't be surprised however if the Duke of Parma attends.

Why don't Dutch monarchs attend Popes' funerals?

Message from the Prince Aga Khan.

The Ismaili on Instagram: "A message of condolences from His Highness the Aga Khan on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis."

19K likes, 106 comments - theismaili on April 22, 2025: "A message of condolences from His Highness the Aga Khan on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.".

www.instagram.com

 

[Hans-Rickard]

I don’t think King Harald and Queen Sonja, or Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit ever met Pope Francis….
Haralds and Sonjas state visit to Italy in 2016 did not include a visit to the Vatican for some reason…. Unless Crown Prince Haakon is available on Saturday, i don’t think anyone from the Norwegian RF will attend…

King Frederik (who has definitely met Pope Francis) may not be able to make it back from Japan in time, but it is possible that Queen Mary or Princess Benedikte may go…

 

[An Ard Ri]

I don’t think King Harald and Queen Sonja, or Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit ever met Pope Francis….
Haralds and Sonjas state visit to Italy in 2016 did not include a visit to the Vatican for some reason…. Unless Crown Prince Haakon is available on Saturday, i don’t think anyone from the Norwegian RF will attend…

King Frederik (who has definitely met Pope Francis) may not be able to make it from Japan in time, but it is possible that Queen Mary or Princess Benedikte may go…

The Prince of Wales will attend
Prince William will attend Pope's funeral on behalf of King Charles

 

[irish_royalist]

The Prince of Wales will represent The King at The Pope’s funeral

 

[Somebody]

Why don't Dutch monarchs attend Popes' funerals?

By the time it had become more common to attend funerals in other countries (as travel options had increased), Roman Catholicism was quite a contentious issue in the Netherlands (after all, William the Silent fought for religious freedom, which in practice meant freedom from Roman-Catholicism). So, it made sense for the royal family to (visibly) stay far away from the Roman Catholic church (although individual members did not). For instance, the royal family did not attend the wedding of princess Irene at the Vatican with a Roman-Catholic pretender to the Spanish throne.

So, while relations now have normalized, and the Netherlands even has a Roman-Catholic queen (who however had to promise to raise her children protestant), there never was the 'tradition' of Dutch royals attending the funeral of the pope. Of course, that might change at some point, but the funeral taking place on the day that king's day is celebrated, doesn't help.

 

[Stefan]

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa will attend (if not that would have been a mayor surprise)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1914701737316786449

 

[muriel]

The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of Pope Francis

Tens of thousands of pilgrims flock to Rome ahead of Pope's funeral on Saturday

The pontiff, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday aged 88.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

The attendance of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the funeral has been confirmed:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1914615789002404223

King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia signed the book of condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid today, April 22:


** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery **

Los reyes Felipe y Letizia, junto a la reina Sofía, muestran sus condolencias por el papa en la Nunciatura Apostólica

Antes de seguir con su agenda, los Reyes han querido mostrar su pésame en el libro de firmas

www.hola.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1914645058432688518

The handwriting of Sofia is very frail!

 

[duke of poliganc]

F rom the non reigning royal houses I think the savoy, bourbon Parma and maybe the Romanian are sure to attend

 

[Izzie]

I don’t think King Harald and Queen Sonja, or Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit ever met Pope Francis….
Haralds and Sonjas state visit to Italy in 2016 did not include a visit to the Vatican for some reason…. Unless Crown Prince Haakon is available on Saturday, i don’t think anyone from the Norwegian RF will attend…

King Frederik (who has definitely met Pope Francis) may not be able to make it back from Japan in time, but it is possible that Queen Mary or Princess Benedikte may go…

King Frederik's Japan trip ends on 25th and Crown Prince Christian is regent through 4/27. And Vatican City is 7 hours behind Tokyo. So, depending on what time he leaves Japan, he could fly straight to Rome or Queen Mary will attend representing the DRF.

 

[TLLK]

F rom the non reigning royal houses I think the savoy, bourbon Parma and maybe the Romanian are sure to attend

I expect that there will be at least one or more representatives from the Hapsburgs too.

 

[Adda]

F rom the non reigning royal houses I think the savoy, bourbon Parma and maybe the Romanian are sure to attend

I expect that there will be at least one or more representatives from the Hapsburgs too.

And the Wittelsbach, if not the Duke of Bavaria, then at least a relative.

 

[Marengo]

According to RTL, the RVD will come with a statement later tonight. Jeroen Snel speculates that it is possible that the festivities will start an hour later than planned, as not to overlap with the funeral.

But unlike in some other countries it is not a day of national mourning in the Netherlands. The national day will for the rest go ahead as planned. The personal affinity of the Queen for the Pope is personal, she will be expected at the national day - says Snel. And while 'under the rivers' (the catholic part of the country) a gesture may be appreciated, 'above the rivers' it may not be.

 

[Biri]

The President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, also announced he would be attending with his (second)) wife (he was a widower before remarrying recently).

She is his third wife.

The first one died in 1971 after just two years of marriage from hepatitis B together with their unborn son (she was eight months pregnant then )

 

[Mbruno]

She is his third wife.

The first one died in 1971 after just two years of marriage from hepatitis B together with their unborn son (she was eight months pregnant then )

Thanks for the correction.

 

[Adda]

HSH Prince Albert II has decreed that three days of national mourning will be observed in the Principality of Monaco, from Thursday, April 24th to Saturday, April 26th, the day of the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis.

His Serene Highness has also ordered that flags be flown at half-mast on all public buildings in the Principality from Monday, April 21st until the end of the funeral. These buildings will also remain unlit during the three days of national mourning.

In addition, a minute of silence will be observed on Friday, April 25th at 11:00 a.m., announced by a siren inviting everyone to pay their respects.

Public services, including schools, as well as the private sector in the Principality, will remain open.

The Sovereign Prince reiterates his deep emotion at the announcement of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, whose disappearance has brought mourning to the people of Monaco and deeply affected the faithful throughout the world.

Palais Princier de Monaco on Instagram: "COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE S.A.S. le Prince Albert II a décrété que trois jours de deuil national seront observés en Principauté de Monaco, du jeudi 24 au samedi 26 avril, jour des obsèques du pape François. Son A

2,208 likes, 31 comments - palaisprincierdemonaco on April 22, 2025: "COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE S.A.S. le Prince Albert II a décrété que trois jours de deuil national seront observés en Principauté de Monaco, du jeudi 24 au samedi 26 avril, jour des obsèques du pape François. Son Altesse...

www.instagram.com

Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and Princess Caroline have attended a memorial mass for Pope Francis at the Monaco Cathedral.

 

[sophie25]

The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of Pope Francis

Tens of thousands of pilgrims flock to Rome ahead of Pope's funeral on Saturday

The pontiff, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday aged 88.

www.bbc.co.uk

Will the Princess of Wales be with him do we know?

 

[tommy100]

I don’t think King Harald and Queen Sonja, or Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit ever met Pope Francis….
Haralds and Sonjas state visit to Italy in 2016 did not include a visit to the Vatican for some reason…. Unless Crown Prince Haakon is available on Saturday, i don’t think anyone from the Norwegian RF will attend…

King Frederik (who has definitely met Pope Francis) may not be able to make it back from Japan in time, but it is possible that Queen Mary or Princess Benedikte may go…

Queen Sonja was in hospital over the Easter weekend so I would be very surprised if Sonja attended.

 

[irish_royalist]

Will the Princess of Wales be with him do we know?

That has not been mentioned

 

[Marengo]

King's Day will be postponed with one hour and the prime minister ánd the minister of Foreign Affairs will attend the funeral. Apparently it was considered to send the Queen or the Princess of Orange, but it was decided by the cabinet and the court that they should attend the national day.

Prinses Amalia en koningin Máxima in beeld om begrafenis paus bij te wonen

Het samenvallen van de uitvaart van de paus en Koningsdag zorgt voor hoofdbrekens. Overwogen wordt om koningin Máxima af te vaardigen. Een andere optie is dat prinses Amalia afreist. Lees verder op Te...

www.telegraaf.nl

 

[iceflower]

Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and Princess Caroline have attended a memorial mass for Pope Francis at the Monaco Cathedral.

Here are some photos of the mass at the Cathedral of Monaco this evening:


** tt.se gallery ** anp gallery **

Charlène et Caroline de Monaco unies dans l’émotion pour rendre hommage au pape

EN IMAGES - La famille princière de Monaco s’est réunie dans la cathédrale de la principauté pour une messe célébrant la mémoire du pape François, un moment où les princesses Caroline et Charlène ont laissé voir leur émotion.

www.parismatch.com

Monaco Info on Instagram: "Ce soir, en la Cathédrale de Monaco, s’est tenue la messe pontificale en hommage au pape François décédé hier, célébrée par Mgr Dominique-Marie David. Un moment de recueillement et d’unité auquel ont participé le couple pr

1,387 likes, 17 comments - monaco_info on April 22, 2025: "Ce soir, en la Cathédrale de Monaco, s’est tenue la messe pontificale en hommage au pape François décédé hier, célébrée par Mgr Dominique-Marie David. Un moment de recueillement et d’unité auquel ont participé le couple princier, la...

www.instagram.com

Point de Vue on Instagram: "🙏 Le prince Albert et la princesse Charlène à la messe célébrée en l’honneur du pape François ⛪🇲🇨 À Monaco, le prince Albert II et la princesse Charlène ont assisté à une messe spéciale organisée en hommage au pape Franço

2,107 likes, 21 comments - pointdevue on April 23, 2025: "🙏 Le prince Albert et la princesse Charlène à la messe célébrée en l’honneur du pape François ⛪🇲🇨 À Monaco, le prince Albert II et la princesse Charlène ont assisté à une messe spéciale organisée en hommage au pape François. Une...

www.instagram.com

Palais Princier de Monaco on Instagram: "LL.AA.SS. le Prince Albert II et la Princesse Charlène, accompagnés de S.A.R. la Princesse de Hanovre, ont assisté en fin de journée ce mardi 22 avril à la messe pontificale célébrée en hommage au pape Françoi

3,515 likes, 33 comments - palaisprincierdemonaco on April 22, 2025: "LL.AA.SS. le Prince Albert II et la Princesse Charlène, accompagnés de S.A.R. la Princesse de Hanovre, ont assisté en fin de journée ce mardi 22 avril à la messe pontificale célébrée en hommage au pape François. Officiée par...

www.instagram.com

 

[Linda_26]

More about the Pope's final hours, by Vatican News:
Pope Francis' final hours and gratitude for returning to the Square - Vatican News

Some of his final words to his personal healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti, were: "Thank you for bringing me back to the Square". It was his ardent desire to be among the faithful on Easter Sunday.

 

[Elisabeth-Amalie]

The hereditary Prince and Princess of Liechtenstein are going to attend the funeral until then the flags at the castle are going to be flown at half mast. at the inquiry from the newspaper Liechtensteinisches Vaterland.

 

[Somebody]

King's Day will be postponed with one hour and the prime minister ánd the minister of Foreign Affairs will attend the funeral. Apparently it was considered to send the Queen or the Princess of Orange, but it was decided by the cabinet and the court that they should attend the national day.

Prinses Amalia en koningin Máxima in beeld om begrafenis paus bij te wonen

Het samenvallen van de uitvaart van de paus en Koningsdag zorgt voor hoofdbrekens. Overwogen wordt om koningin Máxima af te vaardigen. Een andere optie is dat prinses Amalia afreist. Lees verder op Te...

www.telegraaf.nl

The minister of foreign affairs met the pope during a short audience two days ago/on Easter Sunday.

 

[Curryong]

President Trump has indeed accepted the invitation to the funeral. There have been clashes in his first term due to the Pope disagreeing with his policies. He has stated that his wife will accompany him and that he is ‘looking forward to it’.

 

[ladongas]

“We look forward to being there!” Really?

 

[An Ard Ri]

The Irish President ,his wife and the Taoiseach (PM) will all attend the Funeral.

Its unfortunate that the Funeral is taking place on Kings Day in the Netherlands and that there won't be a member of the House of Orange in attendance.
The late Pope Francis like Maxima is an Argentinian and both the Dutch King and Queen attended his Inaugural Mass in 2013 , that I think was a first for the Dutch RF.

 

[Stefan]

Its unfortunate that the Funeral is taking place on Kings Day in the Netherlands and that there won't be a member of the House of Orange in attendance.

Yes that is unfortunate. Seems that Vatican has a history of putting papal funerals on dates where other royal Events are taking place.