**President Zelensky to Attend Pope Francis’s Funeral in the Vatican**
In a move that reflects his respect for the late pontiff, President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to attend Pope Francis’s funeral in the Vatican. The preparations for the ceremony are underway, and the Presidential Office is awaiting official confirmation of the date.
Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after a stroke and cardiac arrest. He had led the Catholic Church since 2013. As a token of his condolences, Zelensky said that Pope Francis “knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity.” The Ukrainian President extended his sympathies to Catholics and all Christians who looked up to Pope Francis for spiritual support.
**A Symbolic Gesture**
The Presidential Office is preparing Zelensky’s visit to the Vatican to bid farewell to the pontiff. This decision reflects Ukraine’s respect for the Catholic Church and its leader, even though some of Pope Francis’s comments on the Russia-Ukraine war were perceived as relativizing Russia’s responsibility in the conflict.
In October 2024, President Zelensky met Pope Francis during his official tour in Europe. He presented the pontiff with an oil painting named “The Bucha Massacre – the Story of Marichka.” The painting commemorates the atrocities committed by Russian troops in Bucha, a suburb northwest of Kyiv.
**International Dignitaries to Attend**
Several international dignitaries have confirmed their attendance at Pope Francis’s funeral. These include U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, marking the first international trip of Trump’s second term. French President Emmanuel Macron also plans to attend the ceremony.
The Vatican has confirmed that the funeral will be held on April 26 at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
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