Leaders gathering for Pope’s funeralThe funeral of Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff, will be held on Saturday at 10 am in St Peter’s Square, bringing to a close a remarkable papacy that spanned for more than 12 years. The 88-year-old Argentine Pope died on Monday after suffering a stroke which left him in a coma and ultimately led to heart failure.For three days, Pope Francis will lie in open casket at St Peter’s Basilica where thousands are expected to pay their final respects. “He really walked with his people.”Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the funeral Mass. A spokesperson added that the Prime Minister would also take part in a scheduled daily press briefing later that day. Buckingham Palace has not yet confirmed whether King Charles III will accompany him to the ceremony.Frome Spain, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain will be attending the funeral at the Vatican, the Spanish royal palace confirmed.

Source: The Times April 22, 2025 12:44 UTC