King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to attend funeral of Pope Francis

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium will attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, the Palace has confirmed. The service will take place in St Peter’s Square in Rome at 10.00.

On Monday, the royal couple expressed their “great sadness” at the death of the Pope. “He was a great man, close to the most vulnerable and concerned with the problems of the world,” they said in a message on social media. They met him several times, including during his visit to Belgium in September 2024. 

Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump are among the world leaders who have announced that they will attend the funeral. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather in St Peter’s Square for the occasion.

Pope Francis dies aged 88

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 at his residence Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican has announced.

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After the mass at 10.00, the coffin will be transferred to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in central Rome, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, where the Pope will be buried in accordance with the wishes expressed in his will.

Francis is currently lying in state in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, where he lived for 12 years. His body will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday at 9.00, when believers will be able to pay their last respects.

"For those who knew the Pope closely, who served him, we are losing someone close to us"

Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, who attended the coffin on Monday evening, told reporters that that it was a “very moving, very touching” moment, with “both sadness and gratitude for all he gave until the end”.

“For us, this is a time of mourning. The Church is like a big family, and at a time like this, for those who knew the Pope closely, who served him, we are losing someone close to us,” she said.

Cardinals are meeting on Tuesday, notably to decide on the arrangements for the funeral. The 135 cardinal electors will also have the task of electing his successor during the conclave, which is expected to begin in early May.

^{Pope Francis meets King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Castle of Laeken during his visit to Belgium in September 2024 © PHOTO OLIVIER POLET / ABACAPRESS.COM}

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