Julian Assange Attends Pope Francis’s Funeral, Reflecting on Support and Freedom
In a surprising twist of fate, Julian Assange, the controversial founder of WikiLeaks, was seen among the mourners at Pope Francis’s funeral held in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, on Saturday. Assange’s presence at such a solemn occasion highlights a unique connection with the late pontiff, who had previously extended a hand of support during Assange’s tumultuous journey.
“Now Julian is free, we have all come to Rome to express our family’s gratitude for the Pope’s support during Julian’s persecution. Our children and I had the honor of meeting Pope Francis in June 2023 to discuss how to free Julian from Belmarsh prison. Francis wrote to Julian in… pic.twitter.com/1B4iNp31Is
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) April 26, 2025
Assange’s wife, Stella, took to social media to express the family’s deep appreciation for the Pope’s unwavering support throughout Assange’s ordeal. She mentioned, “Our children and I had an honor to meet Pope Francis in June 2023 to discuss how to free Julian from Belmarsh prison.” This meeting evidently left a profound impact, as it was not merely a courtesy call but underscored the pontiff’s willingness to advocate for Assange’s freedom.
Julian Assange’s release from Belmarsh Prison last year came after a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department. His prior five-year imprisonment followed an even longer period of refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy, where his political asylum status was more a question of survival than security.
In a poignant gesture of support, Pope Francis sent a personal letter to Assange while he was still incarcerated. This letter, delivered by the prison chaplain on Palm Sunday in March 2021, signified a moral stance amidst political chaos, emphasizing compassion over condemnation.
Stella Assange further expressed her gratitude towards “the many Catholics and other Christians campaigning for his freedom” in a reflection about the Pope’s letter—a reminder that even in the darkest times, solidarity can shine through.
On June 30, 2023, during a private audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis met with Stella and their two sons, Gabriel and Max. Stella conveyed to the Associated Press that the Pope’s willingness to meet was a testament to his “ongoing show of support for our family’s plight,” adding that he expressed concern for Julian’s suffering—a sentiment that transcends typical political dynamics.
Watch: Video of the kids greeting the Pope before our private audience. pic.twitter.com/5M3y6jVfVc
— Stella Assange (@Stella_Assange) July 3, 2023
The funeral service, which took place in the Baroque plaza outside St. Peter’s Basilica, drew an impressive crowd of 150,000 to 170,000 attendees, including notable figures such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Prince William. Their presence speaks volumes about the reverberating influence of Pope Francis, not just within the church but across global political spectrums.
Assange has been no stranger to legal troubles, facing charges under the Espionage Act for disclosing the Iraq and Afghan War Logs, leaked by whistleblower Chelsea Manning. Had he been convicted, the potential sentence could have reached a staggering 175 years in prison. However, through his plea deal, Assange pleaded guilty to “Conspiracy To Obtain and Disclose National Defense Information,” resulting in a 62-month sentence—an outcome that ultimately allowed him to return home to Australia.
