Russian President Vladimir Putin will not travel to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, the Kremlin confirmed on Tuesday, putting to rest speculation that he might attend despite the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him.
When asked whether Putin would be present at the burial on Saturday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded: “No, the president doesn’t have any such plans.”
He added that Moscow has not yet decided who will represent Russia at the funeral.
Leaders from across the globe, including U.S. President Donald Trump, are expected in Rome for the funeral service at the Vatican and Pope Francis’ burial at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Putin’s attendance was always seen as unlikely, particularly after the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest in 2023 over the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied regions to Russia. Moscow has defended the transfers, calling them evacuations.
As a member of the ICC, Italy would be obligated to arrest Putin if he entered the country.
Following the pope’s death on Monday, Putin offered his condolences, praising Francis for fostering dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches and for encouraging positive ties between Russia and the Holy See.
