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Ruto joins Trump, world leaders for Pope Francis funeral
The coffin of Pope Francis is carried during the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
President William Ruto has joined Heads of state and world leaders converging on Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square.
President Ruto arrived in Rome on Friday evening after concluding his four-day State visit to China.
He was met by Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula, who is among the top dignitaries from Kenya attending the funeral.
US President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei are among the leaders who also arrived on Friday evening.
President Emmanuel Macron of France and his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are also attending the funeral, among other world leaders.
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. France's President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, and Finland's President Alexander Stubb attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
Prince William is representing the UK's royal family in Rome. The funeral is also attended by 10 reigning monarchs.
According to the Vatican, at least 170 high-profile global leaders are attending the final mass for Pope Francis, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns.
Faithful gather, ahead of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
An estimated 250,000 Catholic faithful gathered in St Peter's Basilica to bid goodbye to Pope Francis, who was regarded as the People's Pope for his humility and compassion for the poor and marginalised.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and first lady Olena Zelenska attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
The spectacle of the ceremony is witnessed by a billion Catholic faithful across the globe.
Tens of thousands of mourners waited hours in line to bid farewell to Francis, who died Monday after suffering a stroke at the age of 88.
Due to a higher-than-expected turnout, the Vatican extended the basilica's opening hours overnight.