Pope Francis’ funeral shall be a solemn event, steeped in Roman Catholic pageantry, to bid farewell to a pontiff who led the church for over a decade. However with dozens of overseas delegations attending — some from international locations which are overtly hostile to 1 one other — the funeral’s seating preparations have additionally offered a attainable nightmare for Vatican planners.
On the checklist of confirmed visitors: a Russian minister and Ukraine’s president. A minister from Iran and an envoy from Israel. President Trump and former President Joseph R. Biden Jr., together with the leaders of nations Mr. Trump has hit with tariffs and accused of mistreating america.
Vatican protocol affords an answer to the potential geopolitical awkwardness: the alphabet.
At Francis’ open-air funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Sq., members of overseas delegations are divided into teams, like monarchs and heads of presidency, and shall be seated of their group in alphabetical order based mostly on their nation’s identify in French, based on a listing launched by the Vatican. Reigning monarchs go first, adopted by heads of state, heads of presidency, royals and on down the road to incorporate ministers and different dignitaries.
Solely the heads of state of Italy and the pope’s native Argentina will get privileged seats. The delegation with the nation’s president, Javier Milei, will sit closest to the sq., the Vatican mentioned, adopted by Italy’s.
Another latest high-profile ceremonies produced fascinating seating mixtures — such because the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, when Mr. Trump sat next to President Emmanuel Macron of France, or former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, when Mr. Trump was beside former President Barack Obama.
For the Vatican, all international locations are equal earlier than the alphabet. However that doesn’t imply there’s no probability of awkward moments.
In line with the Vatican’s checklist, the president of america — les États-Unis in French — is more likely to be between the leaders of Estonia and Finland, two international locations that share a border with Russia and should look warily upon Mr. Trump’s courting of Moscow as he seeks to finish the struggle in Ukraine.
The visitor checklist the Vatican launched, if adopted for seating, may result in geographically disparate pairings like these at some worldwide summits. President Halla Tomasdottir of Iceland is meant to be aspect be aspect with President William Ruto of Kenya. Leaders from Belize and Austria may additionally sit collectively as they are saying their final goodbyes to Francis.
