Russian leader Vladimir Putin has no plans to go to the funeral of Pope Francis, his speaker Dmitry Peskov said on 22 April.
He added that no decision had been made yet on who would represent Russia at the pope’s funeral.
Peskov did not give a reason why Putin would not go, but the latter’s foreign travel is restricted because of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for him in a case involving the deportation of Ukrainian children.
The Vatican said the pontiff’s funeral will be held on 26 April.
On 21 April, the Vatican said that Pope Francis had died at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. World leaders are planning to attend the pontiff’s funeral, in particular US President Donald Trump, for whom this trip will be the first foreign visit during his second term, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
On 14 February, Francis was hospitalised with a severe respiratory infection, which led to the most serious deterioration in his health during his 12-year papacy. The pope made his first public appearance on 23 March after more than five weeks of illness-related absence.
Because of his recovery from the ailment, he did not lead the pre-Easter rituals and service on 20 April, but appeared before thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square and wished them a Happy Easter. The pope also met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on 20 April.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope in March 2013.