About 200,000 people in mourning flooded the streets of Rome to Offer farewell to Pope FrancisWidely known as “people poppe” during its funeral in Saint-Pierre square on Saturday morning. The dignitaries, the heads of state and the ruling monarchs were one of those who have seats reserved for the funeral mass, notably President Trump and the first lady Melania Trump.
With delegations of around 130 countries during the ceremony, the seats table had to be planned accordingly. Here's how it worked:
How the Pope Francis funerary seats were organized
The president of Argentina, Javier Milei (R) and other leaders, consider that the bearers prepare to lift the coffin during the funeral ceremony of the fire of Pope Francis in Saint-Pierre at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. / Credit: Filippo Monteforte / AFP
The official delegations were seated in a special section to the right of the altar outside the Saint-Pierre basilica.
Francis made history As the first pontiff in South America. It was therefore appropriate that Argentina – the native country of Francis – be represented in the front row with the Argentinian president Javier Milei. Milei was sitting next to her sister, Karina, who is secretary general of the presidency. Next to them was Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who was sitting at the front because the Pope is the bishop of Rome.
The seats according to Italy were then based on French diplomatic alphabetical order. Thus, for example, the United States would not be “U”, it would be “e” after the French translation “United States”. According to ReutersThe reigning monarchs were priority over the other heads of state in order.
Where did Donald Trump sit at the pope's funeral?
President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Estonian President Alar Karis, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saint-Pierre square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. / Credit: Getty Images
Mr. Trump and the first lady entered the Saint-Pierre square and were directed to their seats in the front row around 4 am, before the service. The couple were sitting next to the Estonian president Alar Karis, King Felipe VI of Spain and the Queen Letizia of Spain. On the other side of the aisle, on their right, was Finnish president Alexander Stubb, with whom he was seen talking at the start of the ceremony.
Here are some other notable leaders present:
British Prime Minister of Prince William Uk Keir Starmer-Remerferrench President Emmanuel Macron Macron Macron Macron the former president Joe Bizermany, the president of the Chancolzitalian president, Prime Minister Georgia Meloniunes, was secretary general Antonio Guterreseu, the president of the Guerreseu committee Leyenègne Antonio Antonio Guerreu, Lula Lula Lula Daacio-Daacio-Daacio-Daacio-Cénci-Cénci-Cénci-Cénci-Cénci, the president of Xiomara Castrorapines, the President of India, President Droupadi Murmupres of the Central Republic of the Republic of Africa, Festin-Archange, of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Thisekedipres -president of Cape Verde, Jose Maria ,, Felix Thisekedipresident of Cape Verde, Jose Maria, is
The judge stops his own prescription requiring the updates of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
