500 thousand people set to attend pope Francis Funeral

Estimates for attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26, 2025, vary. Some sources report that around 200,000 to 250,000 people are expected to attend the funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square, with up to 300,000 potentially lining the route to his burial site at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. A post on X mentioned a figure of 500,000 mourners, but this number is not consistently supported by major news outlets and may reflect an outlier estimate or conflation with broader attendance over multiple days, including those visiting during the public viewing. For instance, over 250,000 people paid respects during the three days his body lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The funeral has drawn significant global attention, with 130 to 170 foreign delegations, including around 50 heads of state and 10 to 12 reigning monarchs, confirmed to attend. Notable figures include U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (though his attendance was uncertain due to military commitments), Prince William representing the UK, and Argentina’s President Javier Milei. Security measures are extensive, with Italy deploying over 2,500 police officers, 1,500 soldiers, and anti-drone technology to manage the crowds.

The lower estimates (200,000–300,000) align more closely with historical data, as Pope Benedict XVI’s funeral in 2023 drew about 50,000, and Pope John Paul II’s in 2005 attracted around 300,000. The 500,000 figure may be an exaggeration or include expected visitors for both the funeral and the upcoming conclave to elect the next pope.

• U.S. President Donald Trump, leading the American delegation.
• Former U.S. President Joe Biden, attending in a rare show of bipartisan unity.
• Prince William, representing the United Kingdom and King Charles III.
• Argentine President Javier Milei, whose presence was particularly poignant given Pope Francis’ Argentine roots.
• French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, among other European leaders.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose attendance was uncertain until the last moment due to ongoing military commitments in Ukraine.