Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday, putting an end to speculation about a possible visit despite an active international arrest warrant.
When asked by reporters whether Putin planned to travel to the Vatican for the Saturday funeral, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov replied, “No, the president has no such plans.”
Peskov added that Russia has not yet decided who will represent the country at the ceremony.
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World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, are expected to gather in Rome for the funeral service at the Vatican and Pope Francis’ burial at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Putin’s attendance was considered unlikely, especially since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest in 2023, accusing him of overseeing the forced relocation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories into Russia—acts Moscow claims were evacuations.
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As a signatory of the Rome Statute, Italy would be legally required to arrest Putin if he entered the country.
Following the pope’s passing on Monday, Putin offered condolences, praising him for fostering dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches and for promoting cooperation between Russia and the Holy See.
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