3 d. ago World leaders and royals join 400,000 for Pope Francis’s funeral – live

Italy’s interior minister says 400,000 mourners in St Peter’s Square and surrounding area for funeral of Pope FrancisAt least 130 foreign delegations, including about “50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs”, would attend Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, the Vatican said on Thursday.Heads of state and government who have confirmed their attendance at the funeral include Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and Javier Milei, the president of Pope Francis’s native Argentina. Francis had a delicate relationship with politics in his home country, but Milei hailed his “goodness and wisdom”.We will be present at the pope’s funeral, as is only right. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Pope Francis’s coffin arrives at church for burial after world leaders, royals and crowds come together for funeral – live

Vatican says 250,000 in attendance for funeral of Pope FrancisAt least 130 foreign delegations, including about “50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs”, would attend Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, the Vatican said on Thursday.Heads of state and government who have confirmed their attendance at the funeral include Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and Javier Milei, the president of Pope Francis’s native Argentina. Francis had a delicate relationship with politics in his home country, but Milei hailed his “goodness and wisdom”.We will be present at the pope’s funeral, as is only right. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Pope Francis funeral live: Vatican says 250,000 attended mass as Trump and Zelenskyy meet in St Peter’s Basilica

Pope Francis is remembered as a ‘pope among the people with an open heart towards everyone’, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re saysAt least 130 foreign delegations, including about “50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs”, would attend Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, the Vatican said on Thursday.Heads of state and government who have confirmed their attendance at the funeral include Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and Javier Milei, the president of Pope Francis’s native Argentina. Francis had a delicate relationship with politics in his home country, but Milei hailed his “goodness and wisdom”.We will be present at the pope’s funeral, as is only right. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Pope Francis funeral live: Trump, Zelenskyy and Prince William join thousands for ceremony

Funeral in St Peter’s Square is being presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista ReAt least 130 foreign delegations, including about “50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs”, would attend Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, the Vatican said on Thursday.Heads of state and government who have confirmed their attendance at the funeral include Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and Javier Milei, the president of Pope Francis’s native Argentina. Francis had a delicate relationship with politics in his home country, but Milei hailed his “goodness and wisdom”.We will be present at the pope’s funeral, as is only right. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Pope Francis funeral live: Trump and Zelenskyy among world leaders gathered for ceremony

Funeral in St Peter’s Square is being presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista ReAt least 130 foreign delegations, including about “50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs”, would attend Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, the Vatican said on Thursday.Heads of state and government who have confirmed their attendance at the funeral include Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and Javier Milei, the president of Pope Francis’s native Argentina. Francis had a delicate relationship with politics in his home country, but Milei hailed his “goodness and wisdom”.We will be present at the pope’s funeral, as is only right. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. 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...

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3 d. ago Who opened her first classroom in Rome back in 1907? The Saturday quiz

From the Albert Square pub and Bombay Sapphire bottle to the Pest Control Office, test your knowledge with the Saturday quiz1 Which father and son footballers both have more than 100 international caps?2 In 1907, who opened her first classroom in Rome?3 Which mythical beast had a human face, lion’s body and scorpion’s tail?4 What becomes the Padma within Bangladesh?5 Used in the 14th century, the pot-de-fer was an early type of what?6 Whose work is sold and authenticated by the Pest Control Office?7 Which African country is named from the Shona for “houses of stone”?8 What list currently ends with oganesson?What links: 9 Buckthorn bark; brazilwood; cochineal; madder; safflower?10 Platypus (0); human (1); dolphin (2); ostrich (3); cattle (4)?11 Brownie; Frankenstrat; Lucille; Red Special; Trigger?12 Aktau; Baku; Makhachkala; Rasht; Türkmenbaşy?13 Albert Square pub; Bombay Sapphire bottle; first postage stamp?14 Big Bounce; Big Crunch; Big Freeze; Big Rip?15 Asparagus; Burgh; Burrow; ...

Politics

3 d. 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

3 d. ago As Rome gears up for spectacle of Pope Francis’s funeral, mourners hail his humility

Sadness at pope’s passing is tinged with giddiness at holding world’s gaze with a pageant for the agesBeneath the basilica’s soaring Renaissance dome, the body in the coffin looked unexpectedly small, even shrunken, and for those who had come to say goodbye that somehow felt apt. Francis was pope but he was still, amid all the pomp and circumstance, just a man.His predecessors occupied plinths and alcoves around St Peter’s, figures of stone and marble with names etched in history books, while Jorge Mario Bergoglio lay in his wooden box, by common consent among mourners, a good man who did his best. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. 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

6 d. ago Pope Francis’s funeral to be held at St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday

Francis will be buried in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood, in break from traditionLatest updates after death of Pope FrancisThe funeral of Pope Francis will be held on Saturday at St Peter’s Square, the Vatican said on Tuesday, as a host of world leaders and royals including Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump and the Prince of Wales confirmed their attendance.The pope, the head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died at his home in the Vatican on Monday aged 88 after a stroke. He had been recovering from double pneumonia for which he was hospitalised for five weeks. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Pope Francis’s funeral to take place on Saturday as Vatican releases images of open coffin – live

Pope Francis, head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died at his home in the Vatican on Monday aged 88The Vatican also confirmed that Pope Francis’s coffin will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, where it will stay until the funeral.It will be taken there from the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, pictured in the earlier photo. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago Pope Francis funeral to be held at St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday

Francis will be buried in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood, in break from traditionLatest updates after death of Pope FrancisThe funeral of Pope Francis will be held on Saturday at St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican has said.The pope, the head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died at his home in the Vatican on Monday aged 88 after a stroke. He had been recovering from double pneumonia for which he was hospitalised for five weeks. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Pope Francis’s funeral to take place on Saturday as Vatican releases images of open casket – live

Pope Francis, head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died at his home in the Vatican on Monday aged 88The Vatican also confirmed that Pope Francis’s coffin will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, where it will stay until the funeral.It will be taken there from the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, pictured in the earlier photo. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago Funeral of Pope Francis to take place on Saturday as Vatican releases images of open casket – live

Pope Francis, the head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died at his home in the Vatican on Monday aged 88 after suffering a strokeThe Vatican also confirmed that Pope Francis’s coffin will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, where it will stay until the funeral.It will be taken there from the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, pictured in the earlier photo. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago Pope Francis: cardinals to meet in Rome to set date for funeral – live

Pope Francis, the head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died at his home in the Vatican on Monday aged 88 after suffering a stroke and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to attend the funeral, presidency source told AFP.Expect the diplomatic list to grow rapidly in the coming days, with most countries sending their heads of state or government to pay tribute to Francis – creating potential space for high-level meetings on the margins of the funeral. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Cardinals to meet in Rome in preparation for funeral of Pope Francis

Funeral should be held between the fourth and sixth days after the pope’s death, with heads of state and royalty expected to attendCardinals will meet on Tuesday to decide the date for Pope Francis’s funeral, starting a process that will culminate in the election of a new Catholic leader.The pope, the head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died at his home in the Vatican on Monday aged 88 after suffering a stroke. He had been recovering from double pneumonia that saw him hospitalised for five weeks. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Not just the Jubilee: The best events in Rome in 2025, from art to archaeology

The Papal Jubilee is Rome’s biggest deal in this year, but 2025 is also filled with exciting art exhibitions, festivals and events worth travelling for

Politics

3 w. ago Scottish tourist dies in Rome hospital after suspected gas explosion

Grant Paterson, 54, from South Lanarkshire, was pulled out from rubble on final day of visitA Scottish tourist who suffered severe burns in a suspected gas explosion at a building in Rome has died of his injuries.Grant Paterson, 54, was admitted to hospital on 23 March after the explosion and subsequent collapse of the block of flats where he was staying, in the Monteverde district. Continue reading...

Events