Last farewell to Pope Francis: Javier Milei arrived in Rome to represent Argentina and will have an exclusive box.

Argentine President Javier Milei arrived in Rome this Friday to attend Pope Francis' funeral, which will take place early tomorrow morning in St. Peter's Square. Jorge Bergoglio's death shocked the world, and the Argentine president traveled with a delegation of seven officials he trusted most to bid farewell to the first Argentine and Latin American Pope in history.

The flight departed from Aeroparque aboard an ARG-01, with a stopover on the island of Gran Canaria. Milei arrived in the Italian capital at 7:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. in Argentina), accompanied by his sister Karina Milei , Chief of Staff Guillermo Francos, Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich, Minister Sandra Pettovello, Secretary of Worship Nahuel Sotelo, and presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni.

Upon arrival, the delegation settled into the Ambasciatori Intercontinental Hotel, located on the historic Via Veneto. There, Milei was seen wearing a leather jacket, along with his sister, getting out of an official vehicle. He made no public statements, and no official agenda for the trip has been released. The trip will be brief and will focus exclusively on the funeral.

The Casa Rosada confirmed that the President will not hold bilateral meetings with other heads of state, despite the presence of dozens of international leaders who will also attend the funeral. The Argentine delegation is expected to return to the country that same Saturday, immediately following the ceremony at the Vatican.

Government sources indicated that both Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will occupy prominent positions during the ceremony, given the importance of Argentina and Italy to the life and pontificate of Pope Francis. The two leaders have a cordial relationship and ideological affinity, although no private meeting is planned for this occasion.

The funeral will bring together leaders from around the world, including some with ideological positions close to the Argentine libertarian. Just three weeks ago, Milei had traveled to the United States for an event where she had hoped to meet with Donald Trump, although that meeting ultimately did not occur.

As thousands of faithful gather at St. Peter's Basilica to bid farewell to Pope Francis, the Argentine president joins in the farewell with a low profile and no statements. The farewell to the Argentine pontiff, a central figure in the recent history of the country and the world, marks a historic moment for politics, faith, and national identity.

Javier Milei arrived in Rome to attend Pope Francis' funeral https://t.co/lzTTzYBcW4 pic.twitter.com/q3IBg7IISp

— infobae (@infobae) April 25, 2025