World Leaders to Attend Pope Francis’ Funeral on Saturday |LAGOS EYE NEWS

The funeral of Pope Francis is scheduled to take place on Saturday at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, drawing global attention as world leaders prepare to pay their respects.

Among the dignitaries expected to attend are U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be absent, having confirmed he will not attend due to restrictions on his international travel stemming from an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.

In accordance with the late pontiff’s wishes for a modest ceremony, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis will not be buried in the traditional crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. Instead, his remains will be transferred to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome — marking the first time in over a century that a pope will be laid to rest outside the historic crypt.

The Italian government has declared five days of national mourning to honor the late Pope, whose passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from across the globe.