5 h. ago What to expect at Pope Francis’ funeral from Vatican rituals to iron

Tens of thousands have already turned out to pay their respects to the late Pope ahead of his funeral service on Saturday

Politics

6 h. ago William and PM’s attendance at Pope’s funeral shows ‘respect for Catholic faith’

Sir Keir Starmer will be there on behalf of the British Government while the Prince of Wales will represent the King.

Culture

7 h. ago Pope Francis: thousands more pay respects on second day of lying in state

More than 60,000 people have viewed body of late pontiff since Wednesday morning, says VaticanThousands of mourners lined up for hours on a second day to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis’s body, after St Peter’s Basilica stayed open all night to cope with the huge crowds who had come to pay their final respects.The 16th-century basilica, where Francis’s simple wooden coffin is placed on the main altar, was scheduled to close at midnight on Wednesday but remained open until 5.30am to allow in those who still wished to enter. After just 90 minutes of cleaning, it was reopened at 7am. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Italy prepares ring of steel for Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome with Nato jets, snipers and 8,000 police

Italian authorities are preparing one of the most complex and secretive security operations in Vatican history as 200,000 people descend to pay respects to Pope Francis ahead of his funeral.

Events

12 h. ago Pope Francis: basilica stays open overnight so thousands can pay final respects

More than 50,000 people, queuing for hours, viewed body of late pontiff over 24-hour period, says VaticanSt Peter’s Basilica has reopened for thousands of people to pay their final respects to Pope Francis for a second day, following a brief pause after keeping its doors open all night.The 16th-century basilica, where Francis’s simple wooden coffin is placed on the main altar, was scheduled to close at midnight but remained open until 5.30am to allow in those who still wished to enter. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago AP PHOTOS: Faithful join the line to pay their final respects to Pope Francis

So many mourners lined up to see Pope Francis lying in state in a simple wooden coffin inside St. Peter’s Basilica that the Vatican kept the doors open all night to accommodate the higher-than-expected turnout.

Culture

16 h. ago Pope Francis death: Mourners tell of 'momentous' occasion as St Peter's Basilica stays open overnight for thousands to pay respect

St Peter’s Basilica remained open throughout the night to allow more people to pay their respects to Pope Francis

Events

17 h. ago Pope Francis latest: Vatican says it could extend viewing hours as thousands flock to pay final respects

Pope Francis’ funeral will be held on Saturday with world leaders in attendance

Economics

18 h. ago Thousands pay final respects to Pope Francis as Vatican considers extending public viewing

The public viewing of Pope Francis' casket is scheduled to resume Thursday, a day after it began with numbers that were so strong that the Vatican said it would consider longer hours to meet the demand

Economics

29 h. ago Thousands from around world wait hours to visit coffin of Pope Francis

Pope’s simple open casket lies on main altar of St Peter’s Basilica as mourners say: ‘It’s a privilege to be here’ Thousands of people queued for hours under the hot spring sun in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose simple wooden coffin has been placed on the main altar of the 16th-century basilica, where he will lie in state until Friday evening.The pope, the head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died at his home in Casa Santa Marta on Monday aged 88 after a stroke and subsequent heart failure. He had been recovering from double pneumonia, which had kept him in hospital for five weeks. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago Catholic faithful pay their respects to Pope Francis as lying in state begins – live

Francis will lie in state for three days at St Peter’s Basilica before funeral is held on SaturdayThe coffin makes it way through the Vatican towards St Peter’s Basilica, accompanied by the choir’s singing, starting with Psalm 22.You can follow the ceremony live watching the stream at the top of the blog. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago Pope Francis lies in state as thousands begin to pay their respects

Vatican breaks with tradition as public viewing begins at St Peter’s Basilica.

Politics

37 h. ago Catholic faithful to pay their respects to Pope Francis as lying in state begins – live

Francis will lie in state for three days at St Peter’s Basilica before funeral is held on SaturdayThe coffin makes it way through the Vatican towards St Peter’s Basilica, accompanied by the choir’s singing, starting with Psalm 22.You can follow the ceremony live watching the stream at the top of the blog. Continue reading...

Politics

38 h. ago Outrage as Vice President JD Vance shows 'lack of respect' following Pope's death

The vice president was trailed by White House photographer Emily Higgins as he toured the iconic Vatican City before releasing pictures of his controversial visit

Politics

38 h. ago Pope Francis’s body arrives at St Peter’s Basilica to lie in state – live

Francis will lie in state for three days to allow Catholic faithful to pay their final respectsThe coffin makes it way through the Vatican towards St Peter’s Basilica, accompanied by the choir’s singing, starting with Psalm 22.You can follow the ceremony live watching the stream at the top of the blog. Continue reading...

Politics

38 h. ago Pope Francis on the move as Brits make mad dash to Rome and flight prices rocket

Flight bookings to Rome have spiked by 400% as a mass pilgrimage of devoted Brit mourners begins, as thousands are desperate to pay their last respects to Pope Francis

Events

39 h. ago Pope Francis’s body being moved to St Peter’s Basilica to lie in state – live

Francis will lie in state for three days to allow Catholic faithful to pay their final respectsThe coffin makes it way through the Vatican towards St Peter’s Basilica, accompanied by the choir’s singing, starting with Psalm 22.You can follow the ceremony live watching the stream at the top of the blog. Continue reading...

Politics

40 h. ago JD Vance shows 'lack of respect' following Pope's death as he breaks key rule

The image inside the Sistine Chapel, taken by official White House photographer Emily Higgins during the VP’s Easter weekend visit, quickly ignited online outrage

Events

41 h. ago Pope Francis I mourning live: Thousands queue to pay respects as Pontiff's body on display ahead of funeral

The Pope will be moved from his chapel resting place this morning to a public viewing platform in St Peter's Basilica, where he will lie until his funeral on Saturday

Politics

41 h. ago Pilgrims begin to gather as Pope Francis set to lie in state at St Peter’s Basilica

Italy preparing for major security operation ahead of funeral on Saturday which is expected to bring a host of world leaders including Donald TrumpPope Francis’ body will be moved to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning where it will lie in state for three days to allow Catholic faithful to pay their final respects ahead of a funeral expected to bring a host of world leaders including Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump.Francis, a groundbreaking reformer, died aged 88 on Monday from a stroke and cardiac arrest, ending an often turbulent 12-year reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised. Continue reading...

Politics