83 m. 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

2 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Vatican turns into fortress for world leaders set to fly in to bid farewell

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

Politics

3 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: US cardinal accused of mishandling sexual abuse cases chosen to close casket

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

Events

3 h. ago Trump and Zelenskyy among dignitaries converging on Rome for funeral of Pope Francis

Heads of state and royalty will begin converging on Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square, but the group of poor people who will meet his casket in a small crosstown basilica are more in keeping with Francis’ humble persona and disdain for pomp

Politics

4 h. ago Vatican readies for Pope Francis’s funeral as world leaders set to fly in to Rome

Tens of thousands of mourners have queued for hours to pay their last respects to pontiff, whose coffin will be closed on Friday eveningThe Vatican will make final preparations on Friday for Pope Francis’s funeral as the last of the huge crowds of mourners file through St Peter’s Basilica to view his open coffin.Many of the 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs attending Saturday’s ceremony in St Peter’s Square, who include US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are expected to arrive in Rome on Friday. Continue reading...

Events

14 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

17 h. ago Pope Francis latest: Outrage over mourners taking selfies with casket as thousands pay respects at the Vatican

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

Economics

18 h. ago Pope Francis’s funeral is loaded with potential for diplomatic awkwardness

Saturday’s event will feature leaders who would not usually appear in the same roomAs world leaders head to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, fraught Vatican officials will be poring over logistics in an effort to avoid diplomatic awkwardness.Should Donald Trump be kept away from the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy? Or the French president, Emmanuel Macron, or Brazil’s leftist leader, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, or any Iranians that might appear? There may be relief that Vladimir Putin has said he will not attend, but will everyone expect front row seats? Continue reading...

Politics

19 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

20 h. ago Inside 'Ring of Steel' around Pope's funeral as Vatican guards wield anti

Pope Francis I is well-protected as he lies in state at the altar of St Peter's Basilica, with Italian and Vatican authorities boasting an arsenal of high-spec weaponry

Politics

24 h. ago Pope Francis latest: Vatican keeps St Peter’s Basilica open all night as thousands flock to pay respects

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

Economics

25 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

26 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

27 h. ago Hong Kong allows outspoken Cardinal Joseph Zen to attend Pope Francis' funeral

Hong Kong’s outspoken Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen has been allowed to leave the southern Chinese city to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican City

Politics

42 h. ago Pope Francis death latest: 20,000 mourners gather at St Peter's Basilica to pay respects to late pontiff

The Pope died on Easter Monday aged 88

Events

42 h. ago Pope Francis latest: Tens of thousands of mourners view Pontiff’s open casket at St Peter’s Basilica

Crowds of pilgrims are expected to flock to the Vatican for Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday

Politics

44 h. ago Barriers at the basilica: the logistical challenges of Pope Francis’s funeral

Defence and security mechanisms are deployed across Rome as authorities expect crowds of up to 200,000 peoplePope Francis’s funeral – latest updatesDespite Pope Francis’s desire for a simple and comparatively low-key send-off, those tasked with organising and delivering the funeral of the 266th bishop of Rome still face a vast array of logistical, technological and security challenges.With as many as 170 foreign delegations – including those of Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prince William – expected to descend on the Vatican for Saturday’s funeral, along with crowds of up to 200,000 people, those overseeing the event are in for a hyper-vigilant few days. Continue reading...

Politics

44 h. ago Pope Francis latest: Tens of thousands of mourners view Pontiff’s open coffin at St Peter’s Basilica

Crowds of pilgrims are expected to flock to the Vatican for Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday

Politics

45 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

45 h. ago Pope Francis death latest: Crowds gather at St Peter's Basilica to mourn late pontiff

The Pope died on Easter Monday aged 88

Events