The Kremlin has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the news to reporters, stating:
> “The president has no such plans.”
He added that no final decision has been made regarding who will represent Russia at the ceremony:
> “I can’t tell you just yet; it has not been decided yet. We will update you once a decision is made.”
The funeral is expected to draw world leaders and religious representatives from across the globe. Presidents of Brazil, the United States, and France have already confirmed their attendance to pay their final respects to the late pontiff.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, had battled severe pneumonia earlier this year. He was discharged from the hospital just a month ago after a 40-day treatment. Doctors revealed that he had twice reached the brink of death before being advised to observe two months of complete rest.
Despite his fragile health, the Pope made a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday, greeting thousands of believers from a Popemobile in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis had previously requested a simplified funeral rite and expressed his wish to be buried at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore,often visited for prayer throughout his papacy.
—
Would you like a shorter version for headlines or social media use?
—
Putin Not Attending Pope Francis’ Funeral – Kremlin
The Kremlin has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the news to reporters, stating:
> “The president has no such plans.”
He added that no final decision has been made regarding who will represent Russia at the ceremony:
> “I can’t tell you just yet; it has not been decided yet. We will update you once a decision is made.”
The funeral is expected to draw world leaders and religious representatives from across the globe. Presidents of Brazil, the United States, and France have already confirmed their attendance to pay their final respects to the late pontiff.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, had battled severe pneumonia earlier this year. He was discharged from the hospital just a month ago after a 40-day treatment. Doctors revealed that he had twice reached the brink of death before being advised to observe two months of complete rest.
Despite his fragile health, the Pope made a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday, greeting thousands of believers from a Popemobile in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis had previously requested a simplified funeral rite and expressed his wish to be buried at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a church he often visited for prayer throughout his papacy.
