The news came as the first images of the late pontiff were published.
The 88-year-old, who died on Easter Monday, was pictured lying in a wooden coffin dressed in red, with rosary beads draped across his hands.
It has been confirmed that Francis’s body will be on display for the public to pay their respects in St Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday morning.
Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin prays in front of the body of Pope Francis laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican (Vatican Media via AP, HO)
Details of Francis’s funeral have also been confirmed, with mass to take place at 10am local time on Saturday, celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals.
His death, following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, prompted an outpouring of tributes across the globe.
The King, who met Francis earlier this month, said he was someone who had “profoundly touched the lives of so many”, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had been “a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten”.
US President Donald Trump had already said on social media he and his wife Melania plan to attend the funeral.
A picture of Pope Francis on display in Westminster Cathedral in London (James Manning/PA)
Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell – the camerle...
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