Putin Sends Cultural Minister to Papal Funeral in Rome

The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, is set to be one of the most significant mourning events of the year, taking place in Rome this Saturday. Leaders from around the globe, including presidents, prime ministers, and royals, are expected to gather to pay their respects to the late pontiff.

President Donald Trump of the United States will personally attend, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska are also expected to arrive. Germany's top officials, including President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, Bundesrat President Anke Rehlinger, and former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, will all be present. However, Friedrich Merz, the likely future Chancellor, has declined the invitation.

In a notable absence, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the funeral. Since March 2023, an international arrest warrant has been issued against him by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which has led him to avoid travel to Western nations due to fears of arrest. Both Italy and the Vatican would be obligated to detain him upon arrival.

Instead of Putin, Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova will represent Russia at the funeral. This decision was confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Lyubimova has been serving as the Russian Minister of Culture since 2020 and has been involved in ongoing tensions with the previously more liberal Russian cultural scene, which has seen a decline in vocal opposition to the government.

Despite her position, Lyubimova has expressed her disinterest in high culture, stating that she finds visits to major cultural institutions like the British Museum and the National Gallery to be a waste of time. This raises questions about her engagement at such a prominent cultural event as a papal funeral.

The final ceremony for Pope Francis will take place tonight at 8 PM, marking a significant moment for many who are mourning his passing. The complexities of power dynamics within the Vatican are also highlighted, as various factions vie for influence, adding another layer to the significance of this event.