By Orkula Shaagee
Several world leaders have arrived Rome as the final funeral rites of Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis begins.
Notable leaders at St Peter’s Square on Saturday morning include Prince William, United States President Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden, British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Trump arrived at the St Peter’s Basilica in company of his wife, Melania and a retinue of security details.
Also in attendance is Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, French President, Emmanuel Macron, Franch First Lady Brigitte Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Other political figures and royals on ground include:
Poland President Andrzej Duda Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, Pope Francis’s home country; Italy Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella,
Dominican Republic President, Luis Abinader; Belgium King Philippe and Queen Mathilde; German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier; Croatia President, Zoran Milanovic; Ecuador President, Daniel Noboa;
Ireland Taoiseach (prime minister), Micheál Martin; Moldova President, Maia Sandu; Latvia President, Edgars Rinkevics; New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon; Sweden King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia; UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres; Queen Mary of Denmark; China Vice President, Chen Chin-Jen; Jordan King Abdullah II and Queen Rania; Monaco Prince Albert and Princess Charlene; Hungary President, Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban; European Council President, Antonio Costa and President of the European, Parliament Roberta Metsola.
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday after losing the battle to stroke, coma, and a heart failure.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals will preside over the solemn requiem mass of Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica ahead of his internment today.