From Thunderbirds to Teletubbies: A lookback at 30 years of the UK’s top toys
Every year the demand, expectation and, sadly, the price tag of the top toys of the year increase, especially in the build up to Christmas.
In order to keep track of the trends, here we take a nostalgic look at the toys, games and tech that has topped wish lists for the past 30 years – according to data from the Toy Retailers Association.
Some items that topped the list in multiple years have been combined.
1993: Thunderbirds Tracy Island
The year is 1993, and in living rooms all over the UK the Thunderbirds Tracy Island play set is being unwrapped.
The toy, made by Matchbox, depicted the secret base of the international rescue team who had a fleet of space, land, air and sea rescue craft aptly named Thunderbird 1,2, 3, 4 and 5.
Despite the show having begun around 30 years earlier, the release of the set in the 1990s marked the start of technology being used in toys.
Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner created a DIY model of Tracy Island made from household rubbish
“It was a big moment for boomer dads to really introduce something that they loved in the 60s to something that their kids loved,” William Newton, a curator, at the Young V&A Museum said.
“I was about five in 1993, and I remember my dad would say: ‘It’s Friday night, we are going to watch Thunderbirds’. And then with the toy, you couldn’t get one for love nor money.”
Thankfully, even if shop shelves were empty, an episode of Blue Peter hosted by Anthea Turner taught families across the country how to make a DIY version of the island, largely out of paper mache.
“It became this ‘must have’ toy and then there was a way that anyone could have it, if you had newspapers, paint and some egg boxes. It was quite brilliant really,” Mr Newton said.
Use the slider to see the evolution of the Power Rangers figurines from 1994 to 2017.
1994: Power Rangers
In May 1994, another set of superhero type figurines hit shop shelves, the Power Rangers.
First launched by Japanese company Bandai, the figures became an instant hit with children following the release of television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, in which a team of teenagers are recruited to battle enemies like Rita Repulsa and the Megazord.
A range of 1994 Power Rangers at The Museum of London
The franchise continued its success into the modern day, with 30 television series and three motion picture films, the final of which was released in 2017, the same year the Ultra Movie Megazord figurine neared the top of Christmas lists.
A set of OJ Simpson trial POGs
1995: POGs
Simply put, POGs involved stacking a pile of round discs of card that were once used to cover milk bottles produced by Hawaii-based company Haleakala Dairy.
The game got its name after the company put the name of their tropical fruit drink – Passion fruit-Orange-Guava or POG for short – on them, according to the Makawao History Museum.
Players would then take turns hitting the stack with another cap trying to flip the caps over on what was known as a slam board.
Soon, each disc had a different symbol, with some referring to popular films, political figures and even high-profile criminal cases like the OJ Simpson trial in the US.
Mr Newton put the popularity of POGs down to them being collectable items.
“Collectables are a way that children express their personalities, through the sort of things they collect, and how they arrange them into their favourite ones,” he said.
“A lot of that does come around Christmas, if you are selling POGs to children at Christmas, then you hope that they go on to buy more throughout the rest of the year.”
1996: Barbie
An unsurprising entry, and, spoiler alert, not the only time Barbie features on the list.
The doll first went on sale in 1959, with Ruth Handler creating the brand after observing her daughter, Barbara, play with paper.
Since then, Mattel, which owns the brand, has consistently revealed new dolls, games, films and other products to keep Barbie firmly on top of Christmas lists or at least on the top 10 best sellers list.
“It just shows you the power of Barbie,” Michael Hick, Mattel vice president and UK country manager said.
1990s College Barbies
“Brand’s like Barbie, and the momentum it has created, it is an unbelievably huge thing for Mattel as a company.”
When asked why he thinks Barbie has managed to remain popular, Mr Hick said: “For one, it is down to design, so it has to start with the product. And then there is innovation, brands that mums remember playing with and now want their child to play with.
“We have brands that are really rich in history, so we do a great job of innovating within these to make sure that they are really relevant to the modern child.
“Then there is marketing. We really pride ourselves in the way we go to the market and the way we work with retailers both in store and online.”
1997: Teletubbies
In March 1997, the world said “Eh-oh” to the Teletubbies.
The TV show followed brightly coloured creatures Tinky Winky, Dipsy, La-La and Po, and when toy company Golden Bear signed a licensing deal with BBC Worldwide to produce the first Teletubbies soft toys, the country entered Teletubby mania.
Use the slider to see the evolution of the Furby from 1998 to 2013.
1998-1999: Furby and Furby Babies
From one strange creature to another, the next two years saw the Furby top the most popular toys list.
Created by Hasbro, the Furby is described by the manufacturer as a “mysterious, fuzzy, lovable creature who can’t wait to be your child’s bestie”.
The original model was extremely popular in 1998, and the following year Furby Babies – a smaller version – also proved to be just as exciting to children who wanted their very own “digital pet” that came in a range of colours, spoke the Furbish language and could communicate with others of its kind.
Furby Babies in a shop
The Furby also hit the top of the list again in 2012, this time with an updated look and a mobile app.
“Furby benefit from improvements in technology,” curator Mr Newton said. “It’s kind of a pet care simulator. It is sold in the same way as ‘puppy is for life, not just for Christmas’. But it isn’t actually alive so it doesn’t matter.
“The technology is always slightly improving so they can always have an extra gimmick. It is like a mobile phone, it is not much different to older versions but it has got a better something.
“Furby’s are examples of toys that consume a lot of children’s attention over the Christmas period.”
Toy expert Peter Jenkinson agreed, saying the Furby remakes are “fundamentally the same toy, just a bit cleverer”.
Use the slider to see the evolution of the Teksta from 2000 to 2013.
2000: Teksta
Manufactured by Manley Toy Quest, the popular Teksta (also marketed as Tekno) allowed children to have their very own robotic puppy.
The silver-coloured pooch had the ability to do tricks and also required walking and feeding.
The product also took the top spot in 2013, under the slightly different name Texta Robotic Puppy and an upgraded look.
The toy was available in blue or pink and came with a bone and small plastic ball which the dog could interact with.
2001: LEGO Bionicle
Another big hitter entering the list, LEGO.
Featuring characters like Onua and Tahu, the LEGO Bionicle range was the first in the brand’s history to focus on a rigid storyline, according to online toy shop, FireStarToys.com.
Marketed towards eight to 16-year-olds, it follows the exploits of the Toa, heroic biomechanical beings with innate elemental abilities whose duty is to maintain peace throughout their universe.
The company released a total of 30 Bionicle sets in 2001, which critically helped save the company from financial ruin at the dawn of the 21st century.
2002 – 2003: Beyblades
Developed by Japanese company Takara, but sold by Hasbro, Beyblades was another collectable, where people could go head-to-head battling their spinning top toys.
The aim of the game was simple, with points awarded if the opponent’s Beyblade stops spinning, gets knocked out of the playing arena (the Beystadium) or is damaged.
Individuals could collect different types of Beyblades and launchers that sent the discs spinning into the match at varying speeds.
2004: Robosapien
Described as a “humanoid robot”, the Robosapien is a small robot that performed tasks and responded to its environment.
Almost 10 years on, the Robosapien is still on the market. Created by WowWee, the Robosapien X™ is an “exciting update” to the award-winning toy.
The newer model has not changed much in regards to looks, but now comes to life using either the controller or via iOS or Android mobile device.
2005: Tamagotchi Connexion
Another product that has stood the test of time is the Tamagotchi – a small three-buttoned device that allows you to grow and look after your own virtual pet.
Pic: Glenn Copus/Shutterstock
The Connexion series, which first hit shelves in 2004 eight years after the first Tamagotchi, had an important difference – it used infrared technology to connect and interact with other devices.
In addition to playing games two Tamagotchi could go through six levels of friendship, the last being partners and having a baby.
2006: Doctor Who Cyberman Mask
The influence of popular culture on toy sales is no more evident than the Doctor Who Cyberman Mask.
Hitting shops after the hugely popular sci-fi series aired in which David Tennant played the 10th doctor and Billie Piper his assistant Rose Tyler.
The Cybermen featured heavily throughout the series including the last episode Doomsday – which any Whovians will know was the heartbreaking episode when the partnership between the Doctor and Rose came to an end.
It is no surprise that the mask, complete with voice changing capabilities, was extremely popular among children and adults alike.
“Licensed stuff is massive,” toy expert Mr Jenkinson said.
“25% of all toys sold in the UK are brought by adults for themselves or other adults. Which is why when you look at licensed brands, they sometimes focus on older television shows and brands. They are just seeking nostalgia.
“Parents are buying kids the toys that they really want for themselves.”
2007: In the Night Garden Blanket Time Igglepiggle
Created by one of the co-creators of the Teletubbies, In The Night Garden was first aired on CBeebies in 2007. The huge success led to sales of merchandise, including one of the show’s main characters, Igglepiggle.
Ben 10 Alien Force Kevin Levin’s Action Cruiser. Pic: Toy Retailers Association
2008: Ben 10 Action Figures
Ben 10 followed a young boy named Ben Tennyson, who discovers the Omnitrix – a high-tech, extraterrestrial device shaped like a wristwatch.
The device allowed him to change into various alien species, the figures of which flew of shop shelves in the UK.
2009: Go Go Hamsters
Described as “no ordinary pets” by creators Cepia LLC, Zhu Zhu Pets, known in the UK as Go Go Pets, are hamster-like electronic creatures.
They have been named toy of the year nine times in seven different countries.
Pic: David Parry/PA Wire.
2010: Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear
Coinciding with the release of Toy Story 3, the Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear was the action figure every child wanted.
It included a rocket pack with afterburner jet lights and sounds.
2011: LeapPad Explorer
A child friendly version of an Apple iPad? Look no further than the LeapPad Explorer.
The device combined education and toys, allowing kids to read books, play games and listen to music.
2014: Disney Frozen Snow Glow Elsa
With the success of Disney’s Frozen in December 2013, it is no surprise that a doll in the shape of one of the film’s protagonists was the top toy in 2014.
It even belts out the popular song Let It Go.
The doll proved so popular at the time that police in Ireland were called to a toy store in Dublin after a fight broke out between customers desperate to get their hands on it.
Pic: PA Wire
2015: Pie Face
The only board game of the list, and what a corker it is.
Launched by Hasbro, the game revolves around the gag of getting a pie in the face, as each player takes turns to crank a mechanical handle, which could trigger a hand (ideally full of whipped cream) to launch straight onto their face.
2016: Hatchimals
Another animal-themed toy with a difference.
When you buy the Hatchimal, you buy an egg and over time, the robotic animal hatches, with children getting one of a number of different species.
Pic: Toy Retailers Association
2017- 2019: L.O.L Surprise!
The dolls with big heads, giant eyes and wearing brightly coloured clothing. L.O.L is one of the few newer brands to break into the toy industry.
Created by MGA Entertainment, each layer of the L.O.L packaging contains a new “surprise” whether that be outfits or accessories.
L.O.L Surprise 2-in-1 Glamper. Pic: Rick Findler/Shutterstock
“They are end of aisle products,” toy expert Mr Jenkinson said when asked about the product’s success.
“Anything from three to six quid, and it is something that children can touch and reach. L.O.L is massive because it also makes mini versions of big brands.
“You can buy something that is quite cheap, but you can have bigger versions of it, so you can always expand your set.”
Pic: Toy Retailers Association
2020: 5 Surprise Mini Brands Mystery Capsule from Zuru
During the COVID-19 pandemic when you had to queue outside supermarkets, people indulged in collecting as many miniature items of the nation’s favourite brands as possible.
Mini Brands by Zuru are marketed as the “brands that fit in your hands” and include replica packages of everything from Aunt Bessies Yorkshire Puddings to Skippy Peanut Butter.
Pic: Mattel
2021: Barbie Day to Night Dreamhouse
A twist on an old classic.
2022: Squishmallows
The Squishmallow is a plush toy made by the company Jazwares.
The popularity of the soft toy was boosted by the likes of Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and others, who helped make the plush stuffed toys a viral sensation on TikTok.
Pic: Mattel
2023: Barbie Pop Reveal
Last but by no means least is the Barbie Pop Reveal, described by Mattel vice president, Mr Hick, as an “unbelievable item”.
“It is a doll that essentially you can unbox and you have all these amazing sensory surprises as you unwrap a doll in a drink cup,” he said.
The Pope’s funeral is taking place today at St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
A pope’s funeral traditionally brings world leaders together, and several were in attendance.
Watch full coverage of the Pope’s funeral live on Sky News from 8am
Here’s a look at the list.
Pic: Reuters
The Prince of Wales attended the funeral of Pope Francis on behalf of the King.
The King was in Rome with Queen Camilla earlier this month, and met the pontiff at the Vatican.
The trip came just a week-and-a-half after Buckingham Palace confirmed the King had been taken to hospital following side effects related to his ongoing cancer treatment.
Pic: AP
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Pope’s coffin passes Colosseum after Vatican service
Number 10 confirmed the prime minister received an invite and so he attended the ceremony.
Speaking on Tuesday, Sir Keir said there had been “an outpouring of grief and love” for the Pope.
He added: “I think it reflects the high esteem in which he was held, not just by millions and millions of Catholics, but by many others, across the world, myself included.”
Pic: Reuters
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Trump pays respects to Pope
The US president was one of the first to confirm he would be flying to Rome, adding he would be joined by first lady Melania Trump.
Writing on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday, he said: “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!”
The Pope had been critical of Mr Trump at times during his tenure.
In January, he said it would be a “disgrace” if the president went ahead with his crackdown on immigration, telling an Italian television station: “It would make the migrants, who have nothing, pay the unpaid bill.
“It doesn’t work. You don’t resolve problems this way.”
The Ukrainian president was with his wife. Pic: Reuters
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Applause breaks out as Zelenskyy arrives
The Ukrainian president, who met the Pope three times, was also in attendance – and there was an outbreak of applause for him when he arrived.
Mr Zelenskyy has said his country is grieving the Pope and recalled how he often prayed for peace in Ukraine.
President Macron was accompanied by his wife Brigitte. Pic: Reuters
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Emmauel Macron pays his respects
The French President Emmanuel Macron also attended the funeral with his wife Brigitte.
In his tribute on Monday, Mr Macron said of the Pope: “In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile.”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (right) arrives for the funeral. Pic: AP
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Scale of funeral service from above
The Italian premier, along Argentine leader Javier Milei (below) had place of pride in the seating order for the service.
The Vatican is, of course, surrounded by the Italian capital Rome, while the Pope was born and grew up in Argentina and was once Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Pic: Reuters
The president of Pope Francis’s native Argentina was also at the ceremony, despite having launched insults at Francis in recent years.
Before taking office in December 2023, the far-right politician called him “an imbecile, the representative of evil on Earth”.
Mr Milei alluded to their “differences” in his tribute to the late Pope, writing: “It is with profound sorrow that I learned this sad morning that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, passed away today and is now resting in peace.
“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honour for me.”
Pic: Reuters
Former US president Joe Biden, 82, was at the funeral with his wife Jill. The couple were seen taking their places in the bright sunshine prior to the service.
Mr Biden appeared to be getting some help to his seat, taking the arm of a member of the church.
Pic: Reuters
The Brazilian president and first lady Janja Lula da Silva were also at the funeral.
Brazil had also declared a seven-day mourning period for the Pope.
“Humanity is today losing a voice of respect and welcome for others,” the president said in his tribute.
“Pope Francis lived and propagated in his daily life the love, tolerance and solidarity that are the basis of Christian
teachings.”
Pic: Reuters
The EU Commission President confirmed she was attending after calling Francis a worldwide inspiration.
“He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” she said in her tribute.
Council President Antonio Costa, Parliament President Roberta Metsola was also expected to be in attendance.
Read more:
Inside the plans for Pope’s funeral
Full order of service
‘Unprecedented’ security operation for funeral
Who could be the next pope?
Here are some of the other notable attendees:
• Ireland’s taoiseach Micheal Martin
• Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia
• Albanian president Bajram Begaj
• Angola’s president Joao Lourenco
• Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen
• Bangladesh’s chief adviser and interim leader Muhammad Yunus
• Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, along with prime minister Bart De Wever
• Canada’s governor general Mary Simon
• Cape Verde president Jose Maria Neves
• Croatia’s president Zoran Milanovic
• Cyprian president Nikos Christodoulides
• Czech Republic’s prime minister Petr Fiala
• Democratic Republic of Congo president Felix Tshisekedi
• Dominican Republic’s president Luis Abinader
• East Timor’s president Jose Ramos-Horta
• Ecuador’s president Daniel Noboa
• Estonia’s president Alar Karis
• Finland’s president Alexander Stubb
• Gabon’s president Brice Oligui Nguema
• German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz
• Greece’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
• Honduras president Xiomara Castro
• Hungary’s president Tamas Sulyok
• Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella and prime minister Giorgia Meloni
• Latvian president Edgars Rinkevics
• Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda
• Moldova’s president Maia Sandu
• Netherlands’ prime minister Dick Schoof
• New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon
• Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit
• The Philippines’ president Ferdinand Marcos Jr
• Poland’s president Andrzej Duda
• Portugal’s president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and prime minister Luis Montenegro
• Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan
• Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and prime minister Ulf Kristersson
• Switzerland’s president Karin Keller-Sutter
Who was not there?
Pope Francis walks next to Putin at the Vatican in 2015. Pic: AP
The Russian president did not attend the funeral.
But the controversial leader paid tribute to the Pope, writing a message to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is interim chief of the Catholic Church.
“Please accept my most sincere condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Mr Putin said.
“Throughout the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian
Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See.”
Pope Francis and Benjamin Netanyahu meet at the Vatican in 2013. Pic: AP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also did not attend the ceremony, with the country’s ambassador Yaron Sideman going instead.
The Jewish state and the Vatican have had strong relations in the past, with Israel sending a presidential delegation to the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, and Pope Francis visiting Israel in 2014.
But their relationship has deteriorated since the start of the war in Gaza.
A month after the conflict started in 2023, a dispute broke out over whether Pope Francis had used the word “genocide” to describe events in Gaza. Palestinians who met with him said he did, but the Vatican said he did not.
The Pope met relatives of Israeli hostages on the same day.
Israeli officials have since lobbied the Vatican to be more forceful in its condemnation of Hamas.
In January, the Pope called the humanitarian situation in Gaza “shameful”, prompting criticism from Rome’s chief rabbi, Riccardo Di Segni, who accused Francis of “selective indignation”.
Rabbi Di Segni said he would be attending the funeral, despite it taking place on the Jewish sabbath.
Was there a seating plan?
The seats were assigned in advance, with the heads of state sitting in French alphabetical order based on their country’s name, rather than on the individual’s.
This applied to everyone apart from the presidents of Italy and Argentina, who got the best seats because the Pope lived in Italy and was an Argentinian native.
Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault, has died aged 41.
In a statement to Sky’s US partner network NBC News on Friday, her family said she took her own life in the Perth suburb of Neergabby, Australia, where she had been living for several years.
“It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia,” her family said.
“She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.
“Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors.
“In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.”
Pic: AP
Police said emergency services received reports of an unresponsive woman at a property in Neergabby on Friday night.
“Police and St John Western Australia attended and provided emergency first aid. Sadly, the 41-year-old woman was declared deceased at the scene,” a police spokeswoman said.
“The death is being investigated by Major Crime detectives; early indication is the death is not suspicious.”
Sexual assault claims
Prince Andrew has denied all claims of wrongdoing. File pic: Reuters
Ms Giuffre sued the Duke of York for sexual abuse in August 2021, saying Andrew had sex with her when she was 17 and had been trafficked by his friend, the billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The duke has repeatedly denied the claims, and he has not been charged with any criminal offences.
In March 2022, it was announced Ms Giuffre and Andrew had reached an out-of-court settlement – believed to include a “substantial donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights”.
‘An incredible champion’
Sigrid McCawley, Ms Giuffre’s attorney, said in a statement that she “was much more than a client to me; she was a dear friend and an incredible champion for other victims”.
“Her courage pushed me to fight harder, and her strength was awe-inspiring,” she said. “The world has lost an amazing human being today.”
“Rest in peace, my sweet angel,” she added.
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Dini von Mueffling, Ms Giuffre’s representative, also said that “Virginia was one of the most extraordinary human beings I have ever had the honour to know”.
“Deeply loving, wise, and funny, she was a beacon to other survivors and victims,” she added. “She adored her children and many animals.
“She was always more concerned with me than with herself. I will miss her beyond words.
“It was the privilege of a lifetime to represent her.”
Ms Giuffre said at the end of March she had four days to live after a car accident, posting on social media that “I’ve gone into kidney renal failure”. She was discharged from hospital eight days later.
Raised mainly in Florida, she said she was abused by a family friend early in life, which led to her living on the streets at times as a teenager.
She said that in 2000, she met Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite who was convicted in 2021 on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. Pic: US Department of Justice
Ms Giuffre said Maxwell then introduced her to Epstein and hired her as his masseuse, and said she was sex trafficked and sexually abused by him and associates around the world.
‘A survivor’
After meeting her husband in 2002, while taking massage training in Thailand at what she said was Epstein’s behest, she moved to Australia and had a family.
She founded the sex trafficking victims’ advocacy charity SOAR in 2015, and is quoted on its website as saying: “I do this for victims everywhere.
“I am no longer the young and vulnerable girl who could be bullied. I am now a survivor, and nobody can ever take that away from me.”
:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
The Pope’s funeral will take place today at St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
A pope’s funeral traditionally brings world leaders together, and some have already revealed they are attending.
Watch full coverage of the Pope’s funeral live on Sky News from 8am
Here’s a look at the list.
The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of Pope Francis on behalf of the King, Kensington Palace has said.
The King was in Rome with Queen Camilla earlier this month, and met the pontiff at the Vatican.
Pope Francis meets King Charles and Queen Camilla during a private audience at the Vatican on 9 April. Pic: Vatican Media/Reuters
The trip came just a week-and-a-half after Buckingham Palace confirmed the King had been taken to hospital following side effects related to his ongoing cancer treatment.
Number 10 has confirmed the prime minister received an invite and will attend the ceremony.
Speaking on Tuesday, Sir Keir said there had been “an outpouring of grief and love” for the Pope.
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Sky News inside Vatican
He added: “I think it reflects the high esteem in which he was held, not just by millions and millions of Catholics, but by many others, across the world, myself included.”
Donald Trump and Pope Francis meet at the Vatican in 2017. Pic: Reuters
The US president was one of the first to confirm he would be flying to Rome, adding he would be joined by first lady Melania Trump.
Writing on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday, he said: “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!”
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Trump: ‘Pope Francis loved the world’
The Pope had been critical of Mr Trump at times during his tenure.
In January, he said it would be a “disgrace” if the president went ahead with his crackdown on immigration, telling an Italian television station: “It would make the migrants, who have nothing, pay the unpaid bill.
“It doesn’t work. You don’t resolve problems this way.”
Zelenskyy shakes hands with the pontiff in May 2023. Pic: Vatican News/AP
The Ukrainian president, who met the Pope three times, is expected to attend, according to officials in Ukraine.
In his tribute, Mr Zelenskyy said his country was grieving the Pope and recalled how he often prayed for peace in Ukraine.
Pope Francis shakes hands with Emmanuel Macron in December 2024. Pic: Reuters
The French president told local reporters he would be going to the funeral.
In his tribute on Monday, Mr Macron said of the Pope: “In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile.”
Pope Francis and Javier Milei at the G7 summit in Italy last June. Pic: Reuters
The president of Pope Francis’s native Argentina will attend, despite having launched insults at Francis in recent years.
Before taking office in December 2023, the far-right politician called him “an imbecile, the representative of evil on Earth”.
Read more:
Inside the plans for Pope’s funeral
Full order of service
‘Unprecedented’ security operation for funeral
Who could be the next pope?
Mr Milei alluded to their “differences” in his tribute to the late Pope, writing: “It is with profound sorrow that I learned this sad morning that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, passed away today and is now resting in peace.
“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honour for me.”
Lula da Silva and the Pope at the G7 summit last year. Pic: Vatican Media/Reuters
The Brazilian president and first lady Janja Lula da Silva will be at the funeral, the country’s government announced.
Brazil has also declared a seven-day mourning period for the Pope.
“Humanity is today losing a voice of respect and welcome for others,” the president said in his tribute.
“Pope Francis lived and propagated in his daily life the love, tolerance and solidarity that are the basis of Christian
teachings.”
Pope Francis meets Ursula von der Leyen at the Vatican in 2022. Pic: Vatican Media/Reuters
The EU Commission President confirmed she would be attending after calling Francis a worldwide inspiration.
“He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” she said in her tribute.
Council President Antonio Costa, Parliament President Roberta Metsola are also expected to attend.
Here are some of the other notable attendees:
• Ireland’s taoiseach Micheal Martin
• Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia
• Albanian president Bajram Begaj
• Angola’s president Joao Lourenco
• Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen
• Bangladesh’s chief adviser and interim leader Muhammad Yunus
• Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, along with prime minister Bart De Wever
• Canada’s governor general Mary Simon
• Cape Verde president Jose Maria Neves
• Croatia’s president Zoran Milanovic
• Cyprian president Nikos Christodoulides
• Czech Republic’s prime minister Petr Fiala
• Democratic Republic of Congo president Felix Tshisekedi
• Dominican Republic’s president Luis Abinader
• East Timor’s president Jose Ramos-Horta
• Ecuador’s president Daniel Noboa
• Estonia’s president Alar Karis
• Finland’s president Alexander Stubb
• Gabon’s president Brice Oligui Nguema
• German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz
• Greece’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
• Honduras president Xiomara Castro
• Hungary’s president Tamas Sulyok
• Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella and prime minister Giorgia Meloni
• Latvian president Edgars Rinkevics
• Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda
• Moldova’s president Maia Sandu
• Netherlands’ prime minister Dick Schoof
• New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon
• Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit
• The Philippines’ president Ferdinand Marcos Jr
• Poland’s president Andrzej Duda
• Portugal’s president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and prime minister Luis Montenegro
• Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan
• Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and prime minister Ulf Kristersson
• Switzerland’s president Karin Keller-Sutter
Who won’t be there?
Pope Francis walks next to Putin at the Vatican in 2015. Pic: AP
The Russian president will not be attending the funeral, the Kremlin has confirmed.
But the controversial leader paid tribute to the Pope, writing a message to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is interim chief of the Catholic Church.
“Please accept my most sincere condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Mr Putin said.
“Throughout the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian
Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See.”
Pope Francis and Benjamin Netanyahu meet at the Vatican in 2013. Pic: AP
The Israeli prime minister is not expected to attend, with the country’s ambassador Yaron Sideman going instead.
The Jewish state and the Vatican have had strong relations in the past, with Israel sending a presidential delegation to the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, and Pope Francis visiting Israel in 2014.
But their relationship has deteriorated since the start of the war in Gaza.
A month after the conflict started in 2023, a dispute broke out over whether Pope Francis had used the word “genocide” to describe events in Gaza. Palestinians who met with him said he did, but the Vatican said he did not.
The Pope met relatives of Israeli hostages on the same day.
Israeli officials have since lobbied the Vatican to be more forceful in its condemnation of Hamas.
In January, the Pope called the humanitarian situation in Gaza “shameful”, prompting criticism from Rome’s chief rabbi, Riccardo Di Segni, who accused Francis of “selective indignation”.
Rabbi Di Segni says he will be attending the funeral, despite it taking place on the Jewish sabbath.
Is there a seating plan?
The seats are assigned in advance, with the heads of state sitting in French alphabetical order based on their country’s name, rather than on the individual’s.
This applies to everyone apart from the presidents of Italy and Argentina, who get the best seats because the Pope lived in Italy and was an Argentinian native.
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