The news of the passing of Pope Francis sent waves of grief and sorrow through the Christian world.
The pontiff personally requested burial in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore instead of the Vatican. Before his funeral, his body will lie in state for three days at St Peter’s Basilica where hundreds of thousands of believers and world leaders will pai their tributes.
Among the world leaders expected to attend Pope Francis’ funeral are the presidents of most countries, President Macron of France to Argentina’s firebrand leader Javier Milei and Donald Trump and his wife.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the attendance, but King Charles will not attend the pope’s funeral for a very strange reason – he’s simply not allowed to go.
Katie Nicholl, a royal expert, explained that “King Charles, the last head of state to have an audience with Pope Francis, will not travel to the Vatican, in accordance with protocol and precedence which dictates that the Sovereign does not attend funerals.”
The king’s son, Prince William will instead attend the funeral on his father’s behalf, just like then-Prince Charles attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth III.
What is rather unusual in this situation is that King Charles and Pope Francis met just days before the pope’s passing. In fact, the two have been close friends.
King Charles praised Pope Francis publicly.
“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others,” King Charles said and continued: “His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.”
William attending the pope’s funeral will mark his first time officially attending a major international funeral on behalf of King Charles.
He did travel to Kuwait in late 2023 to offer condolences following the death of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah but didn’t attend the funeral.
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