Key Points – Pope Francis Funeral
- Donald Trump expected to sit in third-tier seating at Pope Francis’ funeral
- Over 130 delegations and 10 monarchs to attend the historic service
- Vatican tradition gives Catholic royalty front-row priority
- Trump previously mocked Biden for back-row seat at Queen’s funeral
- Tight security in place around Vatican with drones and fighter jets
- Public viewing draws over 128,000 mourners before coffin sealed
- Cardinals prepare for conclave to choose Francis’ successor
Pope Francis Funeral: Trump Relegated to Back Row at Vatican
Donald Trump won’t be front and center when he attends Pope Francis’ funeral. Despite confirming early, the former president is expected to be seated in a third-tier section at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday. For a man used to spotlight status, this arrangement may feel like a demotion.
The Vatican has yet to release the official seating chart. However, tradition heavily influences who sits where. Catholic royalty typically gets the front row, followed by other royals and reigning leaders. World leaders, including Trump, will be further back.
This mirrors the controversy from Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. Trump mocked Joe Biden for sitting in the 14th row, calling it a national embarrassment. Now, he faces a similar fate.
Trump Travels with Melania, Joins Dozens of Leaders
Trump is traveling to Rome with former First Lady Melania Trump. They are expected to arrive shortly after Pope Francis’ coffin is sealed for burial. The couple joins a long list of global figures descending on the Vatican for the emotional farewell.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are among the attendees. Also present will be France’s Emmanuel Macron and Argentina’s President Javier Milei. A no-fly zone is already in place over the city.
Rome’s civil protection agency anticipates “several hundred thousand” visitors over the weekend. That’s due to both the funeral and an Italian national holiday. Police have set up checkpoints, deployed snipers, and even put fighter jets on standby.
According to The Telegraph, Catholic monarchs will be seated closest to the coffin. These include Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, as well as the royal families of Sweden and Norway. Prince William will represent the British royal family and sit among the non-Catholic royals.
Across from them, high-ranking Catholic leaders like cardinals, bishops, and patriarchs will fill the opposite side. Trump and other former heads of state will be placed further back, out of camera range during the televised service.
Funeral Caps Three Days of Mourning
The funeral will mark the end of a powerful three-day vigil. More than 128,000 people have already filed through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects. Pope Francis lay in state beneath the grand dome, dressed in red vestments, a white mitre, and black shoes.
For two nights in a row, the Vatican extended visiting hours to accommodate the crowd. St. Peter’s remained open until nearly 3 a.m. each night before closing for only a few hours.
Francis’ coffin will be sealed at 8 p.m. Friday before being transported to Santa Maria Maggiore. The slow procession will pass iconic Roman sites like the Colosseum and Via dei Fori Imperiali.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, passed away Monday at 88. He had long suffered from declining health. Despite doctor’s warnings, he made a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday—his last public outing.
Known for his compassion, Francis championed migrants and marginalized communities. In his final message, he condemned those who foster contempt for the vulnerable. His words resonated deeply with the faithful.
A group of the poor will welcome his coffin at Santa Maria Maggiore. It’s a fitting tribute for a man who often turned his focus to those most overlooked.
Who Will Succeed Pope Francis?
As Francis is laid to rest, eyes are already turning toward the future. Cardinals from across the globe have been arriving daily to prepare for the upcoming conclave. This closed-door election will determine who becomes the next pope.
According to bookmakers, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin leads the pack. He’s followed by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, and Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote in the conclave. The date of the gathering hasn’t been announced yet, but church law requires it to start between 15 and 20 days after a pope’s death.
Trump’s Seating Sparks Debate
Trump’s relegation to third-tier seating is drawing attention. Critics say it’s a deserved humbling after his previous taunts about Biden. Supporters claim it’s a diplomatic slight. Either way, Trump will not be front and center.
His presence at the funeral—despite no longer being president—shows his continued push to stay in the international spotlight. Whether it’s headline-making funeral appearances or the “Trump 2028” buzz, the former president remains a magnet for media attention.
Final Farewell to a Global Figure
Pope Francis’ funeral will be a historic moment. For the Catholic Church, it marks the end of a transformative papacy. For world leaders, it’s a rare moment of unity. And for the public, it’s a final goodbye to a spiritual giant.
Trump’s place in the crowd may be behind royalty and active presidents, but his participation adds another layer to a deeply symbolic ceremony. Whether in the front row or the back, he’ll make sure the world knows he was there.
