World Leaders Gather for Pope Francis' Funeral April 26

The death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at age 88, has marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church and sparked global reactions, including an outpouring of tributes and some public controversies over the authenticity of celebrity condolences. His funeral is set to become a major diplomatic event, bringing together world leaders such as President Trump and President Zelensky, with observers speculating about potential high-stakes encounters and the complexities of the Vatican's seating arrangements. The attendance of an American president at a papal funeral, once unthinkable due to deep-rooted anti-Catholic sentiment in U.S. history, now underscores changing attitudes and the normalization of such diplomatic gestures. The period of mourning has also fueled a renewed public fascination with the secretive papal election process, as demonstrated by the surge in popularity of the political thriller 'Conclave,' which dramatizes the intrigue and power struggles of a Vatican conclave. These events highlight both the enduring global significance of the papacy and the evolving relationship between the Catholic Church and the broader world.