Five-day mourning in Italy, numerous world officials confirm they will attend funeral

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

The Italian government has declared five days of mourning following the death of Pope Francis, and numerous world officials have announced their attendance at the funeral.

The decision to hold five days of mourning was made at a meeting of ministers this morning.

The mourning period will last until Saturday, April 26, the day of the funeral, the Guardian reported.

Numerous officials have confirmed their attendance at his funeral.

In addition to Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni, who, according to Italian media reports, canceled planned engagements in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to stay in Rome this weekend, the funeral will also be attended by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who have confirmed their attendance on Saturday.

Polish President Andrzej Duda is also coming to the Pope's funeral, and he has proposed that Saturday be declared a day of mourning in Poland, the Guardian reported.

The Kremlin confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the funeral, but US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania have announced their arrival.

Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected to attend the funeral, AFP learned from a source close to the Ukrainian president.

French President Emmanuel Macron also confirmed his arrival, and among those planning to come to Rome are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Argentine President Javier Milay, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Pope Francis' funeral ceremony will begin on Saturday at 10:00 local time in St. Peter's Square, the Vatican announced.

The coffin will then be transferred to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in central Rome, where the pope will be buried, the statement said.