44 m. ago Joe Biden arrives at Pope Francis' funeral in Rome when 200,000 mourners will remember 'saintly man who wanted peace for the whole world'

Francis, heralded as the 'people's pope' due to his focus on society's neediest, died aged 88 on Monday just hours after greeting crowds to mark Easter.

Politics

45 m. ago Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Pontiff's coffin sealed as Trump and Zelensky arrive in Rome for historic Vatican service

World leaders including US President Donald Trump, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be in attendance

Politics

1 hour ago Pope Francis funeral: world leaders to join thousands of mourners for ceremony – latest updates

Funeral to begin at 10am local time in St Peter’s Square and will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista RePope Francis’s funeral will be held in St Peter’s Square in Rome at 10am local time. The outdoor service, which will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the college of cardinals, is expected to be attended by dignitaries from 170 foreign delegations, as well as tens of thousands of ordinary people wanting to pay their respects.Once the funeral mass has finished, Francis’s coffin will be taken, in procession, to Santa Maria Maggiore. The Vatican announced that people will be able to visit Francis’s tomb in the basilica from Sunday morning.On BBC One, newsreader Reeta Chakrabarti will present the broadcaster’s coverage, with a BBC News special beginning at 8.30am on Saturday and scheduled to continue until 12.30pm.Sky News presenter Anna Botting will host a live from Rome, with commentary from the former governor of Edinburgh Castle, Maj Gen Alastair Bruc...

Politics

2 h. ago Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Pontiff's coffin sealed as world leaders gather for historic Vatican service

World leaders including US President Donald Trump, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be in attendance

Politics

7 h. ago Royals and refugees to come together in Rome for funeral of Pope Francis

At least 130 foreign delegations and an estimated 200,000 pilgrims to descend on St Peter’s Square on SaturdayAn extraordinary array of invitees, spanning heads of state and royals from around the world, as well as refugees, prisoners, transgender people and those who are homeless will descend on St Peter’s Square on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis, the groundbreaking liberal pontiff who led the Catholic church for 12 years.Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday at his home in Casa Santa Marta after a stroke and subsequent heart failure. He had been recovering from double pneumonia that had kept him in hospital for five weeks. Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago Crowds gathering for funeral of popular pontiff Pope Francis

US President Donald Trump will join other world leaders and dignitaries at the requiem mass.

Culture

9 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: World leaders to pay respects to late Pontiff in historic Vatican ceremony

Pope Francis will be remembered as a humble leader and champion of the poor in a ceremony attended by world leaders

Politics

11 h. ago Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Pontiff's coffin sealed as world leaders gather for historic service

World leaders including US President Donald Trump, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be in attendance

Politics

12 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Pontiff’s coffin sealed after 250,000 pay homage to head of Catholic Church

Pope Francis’s coffin was sealed after a quarter of million people visited the late spiritual leader, as heads of state fly in to attend Saturday’s ceremony in St Peter’s Square

Politics

19 h. ago Who are the Swiss Guards watching over Pope Francis’s lying in state?

They date back to the 16th century when mercenaries first served Pope Julius II and form the world’s smallest armyWith their feathered helmets, ruffled collars and coloured, puffed-sleeve uniforms, the Vatican Swiss Guards are often likened by curious visitors to medieval court jesters.But appearances can be deceiving. The world’s smallest army, whose primary role is to protect the pope, has been rigorously trained and with no living pontiff to protect right now will join the huge security operation involving specialist Italian police units and the military given the task of keeping watch over Vatican City and Rome during the funeral of Pope Francis and the subsequent conclave. Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago Moment crying nun who knew Pope Francis is allowed to break protocol at coffin of late Pontiff

This is the moment a crying nun who knew Pope Francis was allowed to break protocol at the coffin of the late Pontiff.

Politics

24 h. ago Pope Francis: Mourners file through St Peter’s Basilica overnight as lying

Vast crowds are expected to gather ahead of Saturday’s funeral for Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square.

Politics

25 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Vatican makes final preparations for pontiff’s burial

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

Politics

27 h. ago Mourners file through St Peter’s Basilica overnight as lying

Vast crowds are expected to gather ahead of Saturday’s funeral for Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square.

Politics

36 h. ago Port Talbot fire: Historic building goes up in flames as huge blaze erupts from roof

The grade II listed Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in Port Talbot, South Wales is on fire - crowds have gathered on the street to watch firefighters tackle the blaze

Events

46 h. ago Doctor reveals details of Pope Francis’s final moments, and the pontiff’s last regret

‘In that moment I knew there was nothing more to do. He was in a coma’

Politics

46 h. ago Pope's doctor recounts Francis' last moments in newspaper interview

Italy's leading daily Corriere della Sera has reported that Pope Francis’ doctor found the pontiff with his eyes open and breathing normally, but unresponsive when he was called to the Vatican early Monday morning

Politics

47 h. ago Inside the Pope's final moments: Pontiff's doctor reveals details about the staff's battle to revive him

Sergio Alfieri, his surgeon, said he saw the late pontiff on Saturday afternoon in good spirits.

Events

60 h. ago Pope Francis death: Crowds take ghoulish snaps of pontiff lying in state in sea of phones

Huge eight-hour queues are building up outside St Peter's Basilica to see Pope Francis lying in state - and some mourners have been taking photographs of his body once they are inside the church

Events

62 h. ago How Pope Francis's unconventional funeral will draw in world leaders and captivate millions around the globe as 'humble' Pontiff is laid to rest

The pontiff died aged 88 on Easter Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, bringing to an end his 12 years as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Politics