Developing | Pope Francis’ funeral: Vatican welcomes world leaders, worshippers before ceremony
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Millions across the globe are expected to follow Pope Francis’ funeral in St Peter’s Square on Saturday, as the Vatican welcomes world leaders and tens of thousands of Catholics who have descended on Rome to pay their respects.
The funeral will begin at 10am local time (4pm Hong Kong time).
Dignitaries from 170 foreign delegations are set to attend. Among the 50 heads of state expected to pay their respects in person are US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Prince William will also attend on behalf of the British royal family.
Tributes have been pouring in over the past week for Francis, who became the first Latin American pope in 2013, as the world remembered his humble approach and outreach efforts to people of disparate backgrounds and faiths.
He died on Monday, aged 88, following a stroke, ushering in a meticulously planned period of transition for the 1.4-billion member Catholic Church, marked by ancient ritual, pomp and mourning.
Just the previous day, he had appeared in St Peter’s Square in front of cheering crowds on Easter Sunday. Francis had only returned to the Vatican in late March after spending 38 days in hospital due to pneumonia.