1 hour ago Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Basilica closed to mourners as world leaders gather in Rome 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

2 h. ago Pope Francis funeral: Donald Trump forced to take backseat behind Prince William

Pope Francis's funeral will take place on Saturday morning with dignitaries from around the world heading to the Vatican for the ceremony including US President Donald Trump

Politics

2 h. ago Pope Francis’s funeral to be ‘symbol of humility’ – head of Catholic aid group

Some 150,000 people have passed by Francis’s coffin over the past three days as he lay in state in St Peter’s Basilica.

Politics

2 h. 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

3 h. ago Anger as US cardinal accused of covering up church abuse given ceremonial honor of closing Pope Francis’s coffin

The Los Angeles Archdiocese paid over $660 million to settle clergy abuse claims against 508 victims during Cardinal Roger Mahony's tenure

Events

4 h. ago Trump and Melania enjoy VERY rare moment of romance as pair head to Rome for pope's funeral

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania enjoyed a rare moment of public affection as they left the White House on their way to Pope Francis ' funeral.

Politics

4 h. ago Security operation underway outside Rome villa 'where Donald Trump is staying' ahead of Pope Francis funeral

Trump is expected to arrive in Italy later this evening, and will be accompanied by First Lady Melania.

Politics

4 h. ago Watch: Cardinals meet at Vatican to discuss Pope Francis funeral plans

Watch again as Cardinals met at the Vatican in Rome on Tuesday (22 April) to discuss the funeral plans for Pope Francis.

Politics

5 h. ago World leaders arriving for Pope’s funeral as 150,000 mourners pay respects

The coffin will be closed on Friday evening ahead of Saturday’s requiem mass.

Politics

5 h. ago O’Neill praises Pope’s commitment to peace as she confirms funeral attendance

The Sinn Fein vice president has cut short a family holiday to attend Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome.

Culture

5 h. ago Pope Francis funeral LIVE: World leaders and thousands of mourners gather in Rome 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

6 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

7 h. ago Pope Francis’ funeral details in full and how to watch on TV and streaming

Pope Francis will be laid to rest in a funeral mass at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City this weekend - here's how to watch the live ceremony and where.

Culture

8 h. ago Pope Francis funeral guest list is revealed as world leaders fly into Rome and faithful queue for last chance to see his open coffin with 130,000 already bidding farewell

Hundreds of high-profile delegations are arriving in Rome today ahead of Pope Francis' funeral as thousands of Catholic faithful queue to pay their respects.

Politics

8 h. ago Pope Francis LIVE updates ahead of funeral as thousands of mourners pay respects

The funeral will be held in St Peter's Square in Vatican City on Saturday morning

Politics

8 h. ago Pope Francis’s work on peace must be remembered at funeral – Irish president

The people of Ireland have ‘appreciation’ for the life of the late pontiff, Michael D Higgins said.

Politics

9 h. ago How to tell a conclave from a congregation: A brief guide to the language of selecting a new Pope

A change in popes is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals

Politics

9 h. ago Bishop tells of tears at Vatican for Pope Francis ahead of funeral

Bishop Paul Tighe also said there is ‘a little bit of national pride’ that an Irish-born man is the chief organiser while the post is vacant.

Economics

9 h. ago Will Trump think his seat at the Pope's funeral is a snub? Protocol drama three years after he mocked Biden for having to sit at the rear for Queen's farewell

Donald Trump is expected to have a 'third-tier seat' at Pope Francis ' funeral mass despite being among the first to confirm that he would be attending the service.

Politics

9 h. ago Vatican readies for Pope Francis’s funeral as world leaders head to Rome

Tens of thousands of mourners have queued for hours to pay respects to pontiff before coffin is sealed on FridayPope Francis obituaryEurope live – latest updatesAlmost 130,000 people from all over the world have viewed Pope Francis’s body as the Vatican makes the final preparations for his funeral on Saturday, an event that will be attended by 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs.St Peter’s Basilica closed at 2.30am and reopened three hours later to accommodate the last of the huge crowds of mourners who had patiently waited to pay their respects to Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Monday after a stroke. The coffin will be sealed at 8pm in a ceremony attended by senior cardinals. Continue reading...

Events