French president Emmanuel Macron also just confirmed he would attend the funeral, speaking to reporters in Saint-Denis de la Reunion, where he is on a foreign trip. “We will attend the pope’s funeral as we should,” he said, AFP reported. US president Donald Trump said overnight that he was planning to travel to Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, expected later this week. In a post on Truth Social, he said: Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there! Let’s start the day by bringing you front pages from around Europe and beyond as newspapers reported on the death of Pope Francis – including in Italy and his native Argentina. Following the death of Pope Francis at 88 yesterday, the papacy is currently vacant, or as they call it in Vatican, we’re in the sede vacante period. But first decisions are set to be made today about the process that will first pay tribute to Francis’s life of service, and ultimately lead to the election of his successor. While the 88-year-old left clear instructions on where he would want to be buried – in St. Mary Major basilica outside the Vatican – the critical timeline of what happens when is to be decided by the cardinals. The Congregation of Cardinals is expected to make first calls today, including on when his body would lie in state, and when the funeral would take place, kicking off a complex diplomatic operation which will see scores of global leaders descend on Rome and Vatican. The clock is also starting for the conclave which will ultimately elect the new pope, which must begin 15-20 days after the death of the previous head of the Catholic church. Expect to hear more about papabili, those expected to be in the running to succeed Francis. I will bring you all the key updates throughout the day. It’s Tuesday, 22 April 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live. Good morning.
Author: Jakub Krupa