The world mourns Pope Francis today as his funeral takes place at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The service is expected to draw a significant number of dignitaries, including ten reigning monarchs.
Pope Francis, the Argentinian pontiff, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, prompting widespread grief among Roman Catholics globally.
King Charles III, who was one of the last world leaders to meet with Pope Francis personally, swiftly released a statement expressing his deep condolences. “We have heavy hearts,” His Majesty stated, praising the late Pope’s “compassion” and unwavering dedication to people of faith.
Royal Attendance & Seating Arrangements
The Vatican has established specific seating protocols for attending royals, prioritizing those who adhere to Catholicism. The front row will feature:
- Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco
- King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
- King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium
- Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg
- Prince Alois and Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein
Further back, in the second row, will be those royals who are not Catholic:
- Prince William, heir to the throne and future head of the Church of England
- Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
- King Carl Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia of Sweden
- Queen Mary of Denmark, representing the Danish Royal Family in place of King Frederik, who is currently on an official visit to Japan.
The seating plan reflects established Vatican protocol which dictates that Catholic royals receive preferential placement at papal funerals, recognizing the Pope’s position as leader of the Roman Catholic Church. While precise arrangements remain unconfirmed, historical precedent from Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005 offers insights.
According to these traditions, foreign dignitaries will be seated together on one side of the coffin, while high-ranking clergy—including archbishops, bishops, patriarchs, and cardinals, often recognized by their distinctive red robes—will occupy seats directly opposite them.
