Pope Francis’s body goes on public display as mourners gather ahead of funeral

The late pontiff, who died on Easter Monday aged 88, will be buried on Saturday in a service that will be attended by both the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister.

Kensington Palace confirmed on Tuesday that William, a future head of the Church of England, will attend on behalf of the King.

Sir Keir Starmer, who will join other leaders including US President Donald Trump at the funeral, told reporters on Tuesday the Pope was “a quite remarkable man, and the work and commitment that he put into fairness over so many years, and globally, I think will be a real lasting legacy”.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it is “right, like other world leaders are, that he (Sir Keir) pays tribute to his life and attends his funeral”.

The Pope will lie in state in St Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday morning before a funeral mass is held at 10am local time (9am BST) in St Peter’s Square on Saturday.

Large queues are ...
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