French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte visited St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Friday, April 25, 2025, to pay their respects before the remains of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88.
On the eve of the funeral scheduled for Saturday, April 26, the presidential couple joined numerous faithful in a moment of solemn reflection to honor the late pontiff.
Dressed in a simple black outfit, Brigitte Macron accompanied the French leader during an emotional visit. Captured by the cameras of France Info and L’Osservatore Romano, Emmanuel Macron appeared visibly moved as he paid tribute to a man with whom he shared “at least an intellectual closeness,” according to journalist Alban Mikoczy.
The bond between Emmanuel Macron and Pope Francis had grown stronger over the years through multiple meetings. Their first encounter in June 2018 at the Vatican was described by Macron as a moment of “practical philosophy.” Since then, they had met six more times, building a relationship marked by mutual respect and personal connection. Their final meeting took place in December 2024 during the Pope’s visit to Corsica.
A relationship built on respect and complicity
Beyond official encounters, a genuine closeness had developed between the two men. They communicated regularly by phone and had even adopted a first-name basis, a rare sign of familiarity between a head of state and the sovereign pontiff.
However, their relationship was not without tension. Sensitive topics such as abortion and end-of-life issues occasionally caused friction. Pope Francis notably chose not to attend the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, although he later met with Emmanuel Macron during his trip to Corsica to mend their dialogue.
The Macrons’ solemn moment of reflection in Rome underscores the significance of the special bond between Emmanuel Macron and Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. It was a farewell marked by deep respect and gratitude for a major spiritual figure of our time.