Kensington Palace has announced that Prince William will attend the funeral of Pope Francis this Saturday at the Vatican, representing His Majesty King Charles III.
The decision marks a significant moment in William’s evolution as a global statesman and future monarch, following the precedent set by Charles himself when he attended Pope John Paul II’s 2005 funeral as Prince of Wales.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will also join world leaders including former U.S. President Donald Trump at the solemn occasion.
The 88-year-old pontiff passed away peacefully on Monday morning following a stroke, just weeks after being discharged from hospitalization for double pneumonia.
Vatican News reported that after delivering his final Easter message with assistance and greeting crowds in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Francis spent a quiet evening at his residence before showing signs of illness at dawn.
By 7:35 AM, the beloved spiritual leader had passed, with aides noting his death was “discreet and without suffering” – a fitting departure for the humble pope who often downplayed health concerns.
King Charles led tributes from the Royal Family, expressing how “deeply saddened” he and Queen Camilla were by the loss. In a heartfelt statement, Charles praised Francis’ legacy of compassion, environmental advocacy, and interfaith unity, recalling their meaningful meetings over the years – including a private visit earlier this month after the cancellation of their planned state visit due to the pope’s declining health.
While William’s attendance may conflict with his beloved Aston Villa’s FA Cup semi-final match, the Palace confirmed the decision follows government protocol. Notably, as future head of the Church of England, William never met Francis during the pontiff’s decade-long papacy.
Prime Minister Starmer, who described Francis as “a quite remarkable man,” emphasized how the global outpouring of grief reflects the pope’s transcendent impact beyond Catholic communities.
As Vatican officials begin preparations for the conclave to elect Francis’ successor, UK Cardinal Vincent Nichols – among the eligible voting cardinals under age 80 – presided over a memorial Mass at Westminster Cathedral, honoring the late pope’s “irrepressible hope” and dedication to the marginalized.
The funeral will unite world leaders in paying final respects to a spiritual pioneer whose progressive vision reshaped modern Catholicism.
