Pope Francis' funeral is today; President Droupadi Murmu paid her final respects.

The funeral of Pope Francis, the supreme leader of the Catholic Church who passed away on April 21, will be held today. According to Indian Standard Time, the funeral will take place at 1:30 PM in the Grand Baroque Plaza in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Numerous world leaders are expected to attend the ceremony to pay their final respects to the Pope.

A distinguished delegation from India, including President Droupadi Murmu, has arrived in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. On behalf of India, the President paid her final tribute to the Pope. Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy Development George Kurian, and Goa Assembly Deputy Speaker Joshua D'Souza are also part of the delegation accompanying the President to the Vatican.

The Vatican has stated that around 130 foreign representatives are expected to attend the funeral. World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and about ten monarchs, will be present at the ceremony. Seating arrangements at the funeral have been organized based on the French alphabet, according to the Vatican.

On Saturday at around 1 PM, the Pope’s body will be taken via the Porta del Perugino gate, crossing the Tiber River, and will be laid to rest at the designated location in Santa Maria Maggiore, as officially announced by the Vatican.