Around 200,000 mourners flooded the streets of Rome to bid farewell to Pope Francis, widely known as the “People’s Pope,” at his funeral in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday morning. Dignitaries, heads of state and reigning monarchs were among those with reserved seats at the funeral Mass, including President Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
With delegations from about 130 countries at the ceremony, the seating chart had to be planned accordingly. Here’s how it worked:
How Pope Francis’ funeral seating chart was arranged
Argentina’s President Javier Milei (R) and other leaders look on as pallbearers prepare to lift the coffin during late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. / Credit: Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP
The official delegations were seated in a special section to the right of the altar outside of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Francis made history as the first pontiff from South America. So it was only fitting that Argentina — Francis’ native country — was represented in the front row with Argentine President Javier Milei. Milei sat next to his sister, Karina, who serves as general secretary of the presidency. Next to them was Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who was seated up front because the pope is the bishop of Rome.
The seating arrangements following Italy were then based on the French diplomatic alphabetical order. So, for example, the United States wouldn’t be “U,” it would be “E” after the French translation “États-Unis.” According to Reuters, reigning monarchs were given priority over other heads of state in the order.
Where was Donald Trump sitting at the pope’s funeral?
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Estonian President Alar Karis, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025. / Credit: Getty Images
Mr. Trump and the first lady walked into St. Peter’s Square and were directed to their front row seats around 4 a.m. ET, ahead of the service. They were seated next to Estonian President Alar Karis, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain. Across the aisle, to their right, was Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, with whom he was seen speaking at the start of the ceremony.
As many pointed out online, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy was also seated in the front row – an aisle over from Mr. Trump. Photos from the funeral show Zelenskyy was 10 seats away from Mr. Trump. Interactions between the pair have been closely watched ever since their heated Oval Office exchange over the war in Ukraine in late February.
The White House revealed on Monday that Mr. Trump and Zelenskyy had a private meeting in the Vatican before they took their seats at the funeral service. The Trump administration described it as a “very productive discussion.” Zelenskyy agreed it was a “good meeting” and said in a statement on social media that they “discussed a lot.”
Olena Zelenska, lirst lady of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine (L), first lady of France Brigitte Macron, President of France Emmanuel Macron (C), first lady Melania Trump and U.S. President Donald Trump look on as the coffin leaves St. Peter’s Square during the funeral of Pope Francis, on April 26, 2025. / Credit: Alessandra Benedetti – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden also went to Rome to pay their respects to Francis. He was sitting four rows behind Mr. Trump, the BBC reports.
Here were some other notable leaders in attendance:
Britain’s Prince William U.K. Prime Minister Keir StarmerFrench President Emmanuel MacronGermany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf ScholzItalian Prime Minister Giorgia MeloniUnited Nations Secretary General Antonio GuterresEU Commission chief Ursula von der LeyenEuropean Council President Antonio CostaBrazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da SilvaHonduras’ President Xiomara CastroPhilippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.India’s president Droupadi MurmuPresident of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange TouaderaPresident of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix TshisekediPresident of Cape Verde, Jose Maria Neves
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