The British monarch is expected to skip the late pontiff’s funeral service at St Peter’s Basilica church in the Vatican on April 26, keeping in line with royal traditions
King Charles III will not attend the funeral of Pope Francis, set for April 26 at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, due to royal tradition, according to Kensington Palace. Instead, Prince William will represent the United Kingdom, joining President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Rome.
While Queen Elizabeth II never attended a papal funeral during her reign, Charles once delayed his wedding in 2005 to attend Pope John Paul II’s funeral in her stead. He did not attend Pope Benedict XVI’s 2022 funeral, as it wasn’t a state event.
Pope Francis, 88, died on Easter Monday from a stroke and heart failure after battling pneumonia. Charles and Francis shared a cordial relationship, having met just two weeks prior during a state visit. “Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many,” Charles wrote in tribute, mourning “this faithful father of Jesus Christ.”