The Royal Palace has confirmed that King Filip and Queen Mathilde will attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday. The late Pontiff’s funeral will take place on Saint Peter’s Square in Rome from 10am. King Filip is among numerous heads of state that have confirmed that they will attend.
On Monday, the royal couple expressed their “great sadness” at Pope Francis’ death. In a message published on social media they wrote of the Pope that “He was a great man, close to the most vulnerable and concerned with the problems of the world”
Both devote Catholics, King Filip and Queen Mathilde met Pope Francis several time, including during his visit to Belgium in September 2024.
Among the other world leaders that have confirmed that they will attend the funeral are the French President Emmanuel Macron, The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the US President Donald Trump. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather on St Peter’s Square for the funeral