170 world leaders have joined an estimated 250,000 people gathered in Rome to farewell Pope Francis, whose funeral took place at St Peter’s Basilica.
WATCH LIVE: How To Watch Pope Francis’ Funeral From Cable Networks To Streaming
US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the high-profile figures to take their seats in front of The Vatican. Prince William attended on behalf of the UK’s King Charles and was seen paying his respects in front of Francis’s coffin ahead of the service.
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Zelenskyy’s appearance prompted a spontaneous burst of applause from the crowd gathered in St Peter’s Square. Trump is accompanied by his wife Melania.
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Other guests to confirm their attendance included French President Emmanuel Macron and UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
It is expected to be the largest gathering of world leaders since the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president in January.
The official funeral service is due to begin at 10am local time, led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
Pope Francis will be buried later this evening, bringing down the curtain on his 12-year tenure as the leader of the Catholic Church.
Then will begin the Conclave, when 90 cardinals will be cloistered to vote for and appoint Francis’s success. This ancient process has been made more familiar to non-Catholics in recent months due to the Oscar-nominated film starring Ralph Fiennes.
More to follow.
US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) (Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Prince William. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales arrives for late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Brazil’s First Lady Rosangela Lula da Silva. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Cardinals attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
A group of nuns gather during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Former U.S. First Lady Jill Biden and Former U.S. President Joe Biden arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Pallbearers carry the coffin of late Pope Francis during his funeral ceremony in St Peter’s Square. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP) (Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)
St. Peter’s Square as pallbearers carry the coffin during the funeral of Pope Francis. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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