The Vatican said it would send Secretary Paul Gallagher for relations with states and international organizations to represent the pope at the event.
Vincenzo PINTO / AFP
O Pope Francis announced that he would not attend the funeral Queen Elizabeth the second. The information was published by Vatican this Friday 16th and the funeral is scheduled for next Monday 19th and will be at Westminster Abbey in London. “The Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, the Religious Paul Gallagher, will represent Pope Francis at the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Monday,” said Matteo Bruni, Pope’s spokesman. Gallagher holds a position similar to that of Secretary of State at the Vatican and has held the position since 1984. Despite the Pope’s absence, hundreds of government officials will be in London for the funeral, making the event one of the largest diplomatic gatherings in decades. However, as the abbey only holds 2,000 people, only heads of state and a maximum of two representatives per country can attend the funeral. The president Jair Bolsonaro confirms that he will attend the event.
*With information from AFP