As royalty begins to confirm attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis, here’s how past papal funerals might give a clue to who will be in Rome

Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on April 26 2025 and royalty will be in attendance.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians will be present with other royal houses expected to confirm their attendance imminently. However, as the last two papal funerals show, there can be a mixture of attendees. 

Pope Benedict’s funeral in 2023 was unusual as he had retired in 2013 and was no longer the reigning Potiff. His funeral was held on 5 January 2023 and at his request, only Italy and Germany officially sent representatives. 

However, some royals attended anyway including King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians and Queen Sofia of Spain.

The funeral of Pope John Paul II, in April 2005, saw a much wider royal attendance.

King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, attended on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and actually postponed his wedding to Queen Camilla by a day to attend. 

King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians were at Pope John Paul II’s funeral, as were King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain. 

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and Prince Hans-Adam and Princess Marie of Liechtenstein were also there; both families are Catholic. 

Several Protestant royals also attended the funeral. Queen Margrethe of Denmark and her husband, Prince Henrik, were in attendance. Queen Sonja of Norway was there, as well as King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.