The Death and Funeral of Pope Francis

[Elisabeth-Amalie]

its a shame that the catholic monarchies dont have predence to the others. back then royalty used to have the first few rows to themselves. i dont like this new sitting arrangement. there are people in the first row wich arent even catholic and have distespected the church and the late holiness several times (most notably the argentinian president) catholic monarchies should have the first row to themselves. also that trump is in the first row is annoying me, back then he would have sat in the third of fourth row.
also where is the prince and the princess of liechtenstein seated?

 

[Elly C]

Whatever seating order or plan they have gone with, sadly it was always guaranteed to have Trump seated in the front row.

 

[Alondra]

its a shame that the catholic monarchies dont have predence to the others. back then royalty used to have the first few rows to themselves. i dont like this new sitting arrangement. there are people in the first row wich arent even catholic and have distespected the church and the late holiness several times (most notably the argentinian president) catholic monarchies should have the first row to themselves. also that trump is in the first row is annoying me, back then he would have sat in the third of fourth row.
also where is the prince and the princess of liechtenstein seated?

I think the problem is believing the Vatican is not going to adapt, in protocol only, to modern times. The Vatican is an elective monarchy, and the old protocols have given way to a more up to date diplomacy.

 

[Mbruno]

its a shame that the catholic monarchies dont have predence to the others. back then royalty used to have the first few rows to themselves. i dont like this new sitting arrangement. there are people in the first row wich arent even catholic and have distespected the church and the late holiness several times (most notably the argentinian president) catholic monarchies should have the first row to themselves. also that trump is in the first row is annoying me, back then he would have sat in the third of fourth row.
also where is the prince and the princess of liechtenstein seated?

I think it was probably a mistake, since the Reuters list had been printed by the Vatican itself.

 

[Hallo girl]

I think it was probably a mistake, since the Reuters list had been printed by the Vatican itself.

There is no way everybody was going to be happy, it is what it is. They are they to honour Pope Francis regardless of where they are seated.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

There is ofcourse no way around to have the argentinian president as the senior guest, given the late popes background, regardless of his previous behaviour towards the pope… His delegation consists of many of Pope Francis family members in Argentina…

It annoys most people i’m sure to see Trump on the front row (who as usual is not even pretending to be interested and always chats with someone around him) but if there is a day for bitterness and revenge - it is not this day….

This day is about celebrating the life of pope Francis and give him back to God.

 

[Alondra]

I think it was probably a mistake, since the Reuters list had been printed by the Vatican itself.

There is no mistake in the final seating arrangement. We can all speculate why the change - maybe Trump with the American cardinals, which are a powerful group in the Vatican, put enough pressure to change the original sitting arrangement from Reuters. Who knows?

The reality is that for the first time, neither catholic royals or royalty are seated first. It's head of states by French alphabetical order. Maybe in the next funeral they'll use Latin as the language for protocol and sitting arrangements will change again.

 

[Adda]

To the BBC narrator who thought it was okay to speak over the Litany of the Saints: SHAME ON YOU!!!

 

[Izzie]

I would not put it past a certain wannabe dictator to have had a hissy fit about not being front row disrespecting the dress code. No way should Carl Gustaf and Sylvia been seated in the second row either. That list was an order of seating and seemed official I believe. But it is what it is at this point. I just cannot stand seeing that man front and center looking bored, disinterested etc. Disrespectful.

On a positive note...it has been a beautiful service. Moving. The weather is perfect. And so many people there. It is visually stunning.

 

[Alison H]

As far as I can see, Prince William's next to the Chancellor of Germany. The only way that works in alphabetical order is if you use Angleterre and Allemagne, but surely the Vatican must realise that the Prince of Wales represents the entire Royaume Uni. Am I missing something?!

 

[Mbruno]

To the BBC narrator who thought it was okay to speak over the Litany of the Saints: SHAME ON YOU!!!

He was explaining the order of the Litany, i.e., first the invocation of the Virgin Mary, then the apostles and disciples of Christ, then the canonized popes, the martyrs, and the founders of the religious order.

The funeral prayer of the Eastern Churches in the Byzantine rite was particularly moving.

As far as I can see, Prince William's next to the Chancellor of Germany. The only way that works in alphabetical order is if you use Angleterre and Allemagne, but surely the Vatican must realise that the Prince of Wales represents the entire Royaume Uni. Am I missing something?!

As a hereditary prince, William was seated after all the heads of state and before the heads of government (such as the chancellor of Germany), who were then in alphabetical order.

I didn't see the entire ceremony (as it was quite early on this side of the world), but I think they kept the original seating plan except for not giving precedence to the monarchs, which was probably a mistake of whoever was in charge and didn't get the right memo.

Leaving aside the blunder with the seating, it was a beautiful funeral mass with heavenly music.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

European royalty descend on Italy to bid farewell to Pope Francis

The delegation of European royals have arrived in St Peter's Square for the funeral of Pope Francis, with Prince William representing his father King Charles at the ceremony.

www.dailymail.co.uk

DM has article and pictures on the royal guests attending. Mary is missing though.

Trump (blue suit and blue tie), Biden (blue tie) and Zelensky (no tie) are accused of breaking protocol/the strict dress code.
Well, the late Pope loved breaking protocol, so he probably wouldnt have minded at all.

 

[pkl]

I don't bother to read all the comments here, but the dress code was weird. Some people in white tie, most in a suit. And uniforms.

 

[Adda]

He was explaining the order of the Litany, i.e., first the invocation of the Virgin Mary, then the apostles and disciples of Christ, then the canonized popes, the martyrs, and the founders of the religious order.

The funeral prayer of the Eastern Churches in the Byzantine rite was particularly moving.

Yes, I know what she what explaining, she could have done so before or after.

And yes, Christos Anesti is devastatingly moving.

Prince Emanuele Filiberto and the Duke of Castro

Italian Royal Family on Instagram: "Sua Altezza Reale il principe Emmanuel Filiberto di Savoia seduto accanto a Sua Altezza Reale il principe Carlo di Borbone-Due Sicilie al funerale di Papa Francesco nella Città del Vaticano. . #fyp #italy #italia

312 likes, 2 comments - italianroyal.family on April 26, 2025: "Sua Altezza Reale il principe Emmanuel Filiberto di Savoia seduto accanto a Sua Altezza Reale il principe Carlo di Borbone-Due Sicilie al funerale di Papa Francesco nella Città del Vaticano. . #fyp #italy #italia #foryourpage...

www.instagram.com

Prince Pedro of Bourbon Two Sicilies attended the funeral with his wife, Princess Sofia, and their seven children.

Mary, next to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi


Yet another photo of Mary
https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2212067699/es/foto/vatican-city-vatican-april 26-his-highness-abu-dhabis-crown-prince-and-president-of-the-united.jpg?s=2048x2048&w=gi&k=20&c=vXQjAuY0FNdkqPHl8ISgbeW8IFmttZ1tosuWr3eWpwQ=

 

[cdm]

What is the role of Hugo de Windisch-Graetz in the Vatican? It looks like he was welcoming some of the dignitaries at the square before the mass.

 

[sophie25]

I would not put it past a certain wannabe dictator to have had a hissy fit about not being front row disrespecting the dress code. No way should Carl Gustaf and Sylvia been seated in the second row either. That list was an order of seating and seemed official I believe. But it is what it is at this point. I just cannot stand seeing that man front and center looking bored, disinterested etc. Disrespectful.

On a positive note...it has been a beautiful service. Moving. The weather is perfect. And so many people there. It is visually stunning.

I totally disagree, I thought Trump looked extremely engaged, just as he did in Notre Dame. He has a big Catholic support and has always been very respectful of Christianity, which is a lot more than I can say about many other World leaders.

 

[Adda]

What is the role of Hugo de Windisch-Graetz in the Vatican? It looks like he was welcoming some of the dignitaries at the square before the mass.

Prince Mariano Hugo is currently a member of the Grand Magisterium of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

 

[lula]

King Felipe and Queen Letizia with Trump

Así ha sido el encuentro de los reyes Felipe y Letizia con los Trump en el funeral del Papa Francisco

Durante la misa exequial, celebrada en la plaza de San Pedro, se han sentado juntos

www.hola.com

La reina Letizia asiste junto a Felipe VI al funeral de papa Francisco con mantilla y su broche con historia favorito

De riguroso luto, doña Letizia ha dado su último adiós al pontífice en el Vaticano en este multitudinario funeral.

www.mujerhoy.com

Prince Emanuele Filiberto and the Duke of Castro

The children sitting next to them are Pedro de Borbón Dos Sicilias children

 

[Minister of Court]

What is the role of Hugo de Windisch-Graetz in the Vatican? It looks like he was welcoming some of the dignitaries at the square before the mass.

He’s a papal gentleman, comparable to lords-in-waiting and gentleman ushers in the British court.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

The homily (in Italian) and French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish and Arabic translations:

Messa Esequiale per il defunto Romano Pontefice Francesco

press.vatican.va

 

[Muhler]

Yes, why French? From this 2010 news article, it doesn't seem like French has any special status in Vatican diplomatic business.

"Vatican officials usually write (and speak) to each other in Italian. When writing to bishops in other countries, they’ll often use the language of that country—French for France, English for the United States, etc. Latin is generally reserved for letters that are especially important or official as opposed to casual correspondence."​

Are there some awkward seating juxtapositions that would result from applying Italian or Latin alphabetical order?

Probably because French is still considered the international diplomatic language.

 

[Mbruno]

Mary, next to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
View attachment 304772

Yet another photo of Mary
https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2212067699/es/foto/vatican-city-vatican-april 26-his-highness-abu-dhabis-crown-prince-and-president-of-the-united.jpg?s=2048x2048&w=gi&k=20&c=vXQjAuY0FNdkqPHl8ISgbeW8IFmttZ1tosuWr3eWpwQ=

Is it the Crown Prince or the President of the UAE? "Émirats arabes unis" should be next to "Danemark", but the Crown Prince should not be seated with the heads of state. It is a bit confusing.

 

[sophie25]

What row were the Luxembourg and Monaco royals in, I haven't saw any pictures of where they were sitting.

 

[Adda]

Is it the Crown Prince or the President of the UAE? "Émirats arabes unis" should be next to "Danemark", but the Crown Prince should not be seated with the heads of state. It is a bit confusing.

It's Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

I don't make the rules.

What row were the Luxembourg and Monaco royals in, I haven't saw any pictures of where they were sitting.

Second row, both couples.

 

[sophie25]

Second row, both couples.

Thank you, do you know who was in front of them.

 

[Mbruno]

The homily (in Italian) and French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish and Arabic translations:

Messa Esequiale per il defunto Romano Pontefice Francesco

press.vatican.va

In the Portuguese translation, Francis is addressed in the ceremonial 2nd person plural form of address ("Querido Papa Francisco, agora pedimos-Vos que rezeis por nós e que, do céu, abençoeis a Igreja, abençoeis Roma, abençoeis o mundo inteiro, como fizestes no domingo passado, do balcão central desta Basílica, num último abraço a todo o povo de Deus").

In the French translation ("Cher Pape François, nous te demandons maintenant de prier pour nous et que, du ciel, tu bénisses l’Église, bénisses Rome, bénisses le monde entier, comme tu l’as fait dimanche dernier depuis le balcon de cette basilique, dans une dernière étreinte avec tout le peuple de Dieu") and in the Italian ("Caro Papa Francesco, ora chiediamo a Te di pregare per noi e che dal cielo Tu benedica la Chiesa, benedica Roma, benedica il mondo intero, come domenica scorsa hai fatto dal balcone di questa Basilica in un ultimo abbraccio con tutto il popolo di Dio") and Spanish versions ("Querido Papa Francisco, ahora te pedimos a ti que reces por nosotros y que desde el cielo bendigas a la Iglesia, bendigas a Roma, bendigas al mundo entero, como hiciste el pasado domingo desde el balcón de esta Basílica en un último abrazo con todo el Pueblo de Dios"), he is addressed using the informal 2nd person singular form of address.

Is there a particular reason for that difference? Is Portuguese more formal than French, Italian, or Spanish?

EDIT: I have just noticed that even the German version uses the informal address ("Lieber Papst Franziskus, nun bitten wir dich, für uns zu beten und vom Himmel aus die Kirche, Rom und die ganze Welt zu segnen, so wie du es letzten Sonntag vom Balkon dieser Basilika aus getan hast, in einer letzten Umarmung mit dem ganzen Volk Gottes".

Modern English of course has a single form of address (the universal "You"), so no need to worry about which pronoun to use . The official translation provided by the Vatican reads: "Dear Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us. May you bless the Church, bless Rome, and bless the whole world from heaven as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this Basilica in a final embrace with all the people of God".

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

Why would the Finnish president be seated between Melania Trump and King Felipe?

 

[Adda]

Thank you, do you know who was in front of them.

Here's a photo:

https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2211407362/es/foto/the-book-of-the-gospels-lays-on-the-coffin-of-late-pope-francis-during-the-funeral-ceremony-at.jpg?s=2048x2048&w=gi&k=20&c=Fd_CBMdOZgISH3mEg71Y-UPdeDo-xpNmDDYIREmqN6Q=

You'll have to zoom in.
With the exception of their Belgian cousins, in front they had mostly politicians and clerics.

Duke of Calabria
Duke and Duchess of Aosta
Prince Carlos Xavier of Bourbon-Parme

Stefania Conrieri 👑 on Instagram: "‼️‼️Ecco qui il principe Aimone di Savoia Aosta e la principessa Olga al funerale di Papa Francesco. In prima fila verso il centro, ottima posizione. Grazie @the.historytellers #savoia #vatican #popefrancis"

91 likes, 9 comments - arie_da_regina on April 26, 2025: "‼️‼️Ecco qui il principe Aimone di Savoia Aosta e la principessa Olga al funerale di Papa Francesco. In prima fila verso il centro, ottima posizione. Grazie @the.historytellers #savoia #vatican #popefrancis".

www.instagram.com

Why would the Finnish president be seated between Melania Trump and King Felipe?

???
The ESTONIAN President was seated in between, due to alphabetical order or whatnot. President of Finland was seated to Trump's right.

 

[sophie25]

The seating did seem all over the place today. I hope it's more organised for the next Pope's inaugural mass.

 

[Mbruno]

Why would the Finnish president be seated between Melania Trump and King Felipe?

It has been clarified by other posters.