The coffin of Pope Francis has been sealed in a private ceremony held by the Vatican ahead of Saturday’s funeral after 250,000 people farewelled the pontiff this week as he lay in state.
Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell presided at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin, which was attended by several Cardinals and Holy See officials.
Controversy was also stirred after a retired US cardinal who has faced accusations of mishandling sexual abuse cases was chosen to help seal the coffin and entomb the pontiff’s remains during the burial rites.
Advocates for Catholic clergy sexual abuse victims criticised the appointment of Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011, for the ceremonial role at the Pope’s funeral. Mahony denies any wrongdoing.
World leaders are flying in ahead of the ceremony in St Peter’s Square, with US president Donald Trump among the heads of state attending. Before departing Washington, Trump told reports Pope Francis was a “good man” who “loved the world”.
While Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was also among those due to attend, he cast doubt on his plans on Friday evening due to the ongoing war with Russia, which is also sending a dignitary to the funeral.
Security arrangements ahead of the major event include snipers stationed on rooftops, and fighter jets on standby. Streets surrounding the Vatican are under strict control, with law enforcement agencies coordinating to manage the expected influx of hundreds of thousands of mourners.
Key Points
- Vatican prepares for funeral as thousands gather to pay respect to Pope Francis
- US cardinal accused of mishandling sexual abuse cases chosen to close casket
- How Pope Francis's funeral differs from those before him
- Timeline: How Pope Francis’ funeral and the Conclave to select his successor will work
US cardinal accused of mishandling sexual abuse cases chosen to close casket
04:42 , Maroosha MuzaffarA retired US cardinal who has faced accusations of mishandling sexual abuse cases was chosen to help seal Pope Francis’s casket and entomb his remains during the burial rites.
Advocates for Catholic clergy sexual abuse victims are criticising the appointment of Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011, for the ceremonial role at the Pope's funeral. Mahony denies any wrongdoing.
Critics say his involvement sends a harmful message of impunity within Church leadership.
How Pope Francis's funeral differs from those before him
04:56 , Bryony GoochPope Francis’s funeral is set to differ from his predecessors, as he requested a simpler affair than the usual pomp.
While his predecessors St John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI lay upon an elevated bier, Francis’s body rests inside a simple coffin barely raised from the floor of the basilica.
Francis chose to simplify the “Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff” to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.
The new rites ask that the late pontiff is placed directly into a simple, open wooden coffin lined with zinc, where previous traditions saw a pope entombed in three different coffins - one of cypress wood, one of lead and one of oak.
Typically, the funeral rites are divided into three stations - their home, the Vatican basilica and the burial place.
The late Pope instead requested the first station be a chapel, even though it did form part of his home at the Casa Santa Marta residence.
Francis will also be buried outside the Vatican in Rome’s papal basilica of Saint Mary Major.
Timeline: How Pope Francis’ funeral and the Conclave to select his successor will work
04:59 , Maroosha MuzaffarSince Pope Francis’s death on Easter Monday, leaders from around the world have shared their tributes to the late pontiff, as 1.39 billion Catholics across the globe enter mourning.
Cardinals congregated the following day to establish the date of the funeral ahead of the papal conclave in which a new pope will be selected.
The pontiff had broken from tradition as he requested to be buried outside of Vatican grounds at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, with the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.
Steffie Banatvala and Bryony Gooch report:
Timeline: How Pope Francis’ funeral and the Conclave will work
How to watch Pope Francis’s funeral including date and TV timings
05:19 , Maroosha MuzaffarVatican City will host the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, a ceremony expected to draw global attention.
More than 22,000 mourners have already paid their respects to the 88-year-old former pontiff, whose body lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica until Friday.
Benedict, who passed away on Easter Monday, was often referred to as the “people’s pope” for his advocacy for the poor and marginalised, and his rejection of many traditional papal luxuries.
The funeral will mark the first such ceremony for an incumbent pope since the passing of John Paul II in 2005, which was extensively covered by major news outlets including ITV, Sky News, and the BBC.
Similar coverage is anticipated for Benedict's funeral. Here is a rundown to what is happening and how to watch the Pope’s funeral:
How to watch Pope Francis’ funeral including date and TV timings
Mourners criticise people taking selfies alongside late Pope’s coffin
05:20 , Andy GregoryMourners have criticised fellow visitors to St Peter’s Basilica for using their phones to take selfies alongside the body of the late Pope as he lies in state.
Janine Venables, a 53-year-old from Pontypridd told the MailOnline: “What did surprise me is the fact that earlier we were told no photos in the Sistine Chapel and here people were getting their phone out and doing selfies with the coffin. I did think that was a bit in poor taste and I’m surprised no one stopped them.”
Another visitor was reported as complaining that people had been “ignoring warnings” and taking photos instead of paying their respects properly, adding that it was “sad to see such disrespectful behaviour”.
The outlet cited a Vatican source as saying: “It would be good if people could try and remember where they are and have a little respect but there's little else that can be done.”
Irish postal services offers to send cards to the Vatican for free
05:40 , Andy GregoryIreland’s postal service offers to send Mass or sympathy cards to the Vatican for free to people who wish to pay their respects to Pope Francis.
Post offices in Ireland have received queries from the public looking for advice on what was the correct address and stamp to use. In response, An Post said it would offer the service for free and send cards to the Vatican from Ireland in one batch in three weeks’ time.
An Post said: “Cards may be posted to the following PO Box for free until May 14 and An Post will ensure they are delivered directly to the Vatican: ‘Cards to the Vatican, PO Box 13812, FREEPOST, Dublin 1’.”
Vatican prepares for funeral as thousands gather to pay respect to Pope Francis
05:50 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe Vatican is finalising preparations for Pope Francis’s funeral, scheduled for Saturday in St Peter’s Square, following his death at 88 on Monday from pneumonia.
Tens of thousands have paid their respects during his lying in state. His coffin will be sealed Friday evening in a ceremony led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
Over 130 foreign delegations, including 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs — among them Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, Prince William, and Argentina’s president Javier Milei — are expected to attend.
Security is tight, with snipers, drones blocked, and fighter jets on standby.
After the funeral, his coffin will be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore, marked simply as Franciscus.
Pope Francis’s final moments revealed: How doctor knew he was gone, and his last regret
06:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe head of Pope Francis’s medical team has revealed new details about the pontiff’s final moments.
The 88-year-old died quickly on the morning of Easter Monday, Dr Sergio Alfieri, who oversaw the Pope's treatment for pneumonia earlier this year at Rome's Gemelli hospital, said in interviews published on Thursday.
Francis died without undue suffering, and medical intervention could not have saved him, Dr Alfieri said.
He recounted receiving an urgent call around 5.30am on Monday, summoning him to the Vatican. Arriving about 20 minutes later, he found the Pope conscious but unresponsive.
"I entered his rooms and he (Francis) had his eyes open," Dr. Alfieri told Corriere della Sera.
Read more here:
Pope Francis’ final moments revealed: How doctor knew he was gone and his last regret
Security on high alert ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral
06:14 , Maroosha MuzaffarAs the world prepares to bid farewell to Pope Francis, Rome and the Vatican are being transformed into a fortress.
With 50 heads of state, 10 monarchs, and at least 130 foreign delegations due to attend Saturday’s funeral at St Peter’s Square, Italian and Vatican authorities are enforcing some of the tightest security measures seen in recent memory.
A no-fly zone has been declared, drones grounded, snipers positioned on rooftops, and fighter jets placed on standby.
Streets surrounding the Vatican are under strict control, with law enforcement agencies coordinating to manage the expected influx of hundreds of thousands of mourners.
Security officials are not only preparing for crowd management but also diplomatic sensitivities, as world leaders — including Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, Javier Milei, and Prince William — arrive in Rome.
Why people are queueing for hours for a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ glimpse of Pope’s body
07:13 , Maroosha MuzaffarVast crowds continue to gather at the Vatican to mourn Pope Francis, whose remains lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica.
Tens of thousands have already paid their respects, leading to viewing hours being extended overnight, and thousands more are anticipated.
Long queues snake through St. Peter's Square, with mourners patiently waiting for hours to file past Francis’s open coffin.
The late pontiff's remains were transferred to the Basilica on Wednesday, ahead of his funeral scheduled for this weekend.
Around 19,430 people had been to the basilica “to pay homage to Pope Francis”, a Vatican spokesman said on Wednesday evening, less than 12 hours after his coffin was transferred there, and where it will stay until Friday.
Read more here:
Why people are queueing for hours for a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ glimpse of Pope’s body
Outrage as mourners take selfies with Pope Francis’ open casket
07:37 , Maroosha MuzaffarMourners have sparked outrage after taking selfies with the open casket of Pope Francis.
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church is currently lying in state in St Peter’s Basilica ahead of his funeral this weekend, with tens of thousands of people queueing to pay their respects.
However, some visitors have attracted backlash after uploading selfies to social media with the casket and the Pope’s body in the background.
Other mourners who witnessed their behaviour spoke about their shock.
Janine Venables, a tourist from Wales who paid her respects on Wednesday, told MailOnline: “What did surprise me is the fact that earlier we were told no photos in the Sistine Chapel and here people were getting their phone out and doing selfies with the coffin.”
What to expect at Pope Francis’ funeral from Vatican rituals to iron-clad security and world leaders attending
07:50 , Maroosha MuzaffarPope Francis has continued to break with traditions even in death, requesting several changes to the ceremony and burial that accompany the passing of a pontiff before he passed away.
But other rituals will follow ancient traditions, the Vatican announced, with tens of thousands of mourners to descend on the Vatican and St Peter’s Basilica to say farewell to the Catholic figurehead. More than 50,000 people have already filed through St Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis in just the first 12 hours of public viewing.
The Prince of Wales will join more than 130 foreign dignitaries, including US President Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron at the funeral on Saturday.
Below we look at how the service will unfold:
What to expect at Pope Francis’ funeral from Vatican rituals to iron-clad security
What happens when a pope dies?
08:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarWhen a pope dies, the Vatican follows a series of time-honoured rituals to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.
The death is officially confirmed by the Vatican’s health chief and the camerlengo (cardinal chamberlain), currently Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell.
The pope’s body is dressed in white and placed in his private chapel, then later in a coffin dressed in red with his mitre and pallium beside him.
The camerlengo drafts an official death document, secures the pope’s private papers, and seals his living quarters.
One of the most symbolic acts is the ceremonial destruction of the fisherman’s ring with a hammer, marking the end of the pope’s authority and preventing document forgeries.
What is the Fisherman’s Ring and why is it destroyed after pope’s death?
08:15 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe Fisherman’s Ring, or Anulus Piscatoris, is a gold ring worn by the pope, signifying his role as the successor of Saint Peter, the fisherman-turned-apostle.
It bears an engraving of Saint Peter casting his nets from a boat, along with the name of the reigning pope.
Traditionally, the ring serves to seal official papal documents — especially apostolic letters — by being pressed into hot wax.
Upon a pope’s death, the ring is ceremonially destroyed, typically with a silver hammer, to mark the end of his pontificate and prevent any misuse or forgery of documents.
A new ring is later made for the succeeding pope.
UK cardinal says Pope's funeral will be a 'masterpiece' in managing 'big egos'
08:56 , Andy GregoryA British cardinal has predicted the funeral will be a “masterpiece” in stage managing “big egos” as world leaders fly in to pay their respects at the funeral of Pope Francis.
The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said organisers of what will be an enormous gathering of well-known names “are geniuses at dealing with these big events”.
The Archbishop of Westminster said the funeral will be “without a doubt another masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance”.
He added: “In the past, I’ve seen it here over and over again that the combination of Rome and the Holy See, they actually are geniuses at dealing with these big events.
“I think they've been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome – that they know how to deal with big egos. And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday, will go home reasonably content.”
Watch: JD Vance addresses being one of last people to meet Pope Francis
09:37 , Andy GregoryAll bets are off on identity of the next pope, says Vatican expert
10:06 , Andy GregoryA British theologian who spent two years seconded to the Vatican during Francis’s papacy has said that “all bets are off” on who the next Pope could be.
Professor Anna Rowlands, of Durham University, said any predictions are currently based on “pure speculation”, adding: “Genuinely nobody knows ... I think all bets are off.
“And that's partly because the process is genuinely both secret, so it happens in private, but also because the makeup of this College of Cardinals is very different from anyone that’s been here to elect a pope before."
She added: “It's going to be, I think, a surprise conclave, that is totally unpredictable at this point, but I think will produce, potentially, a really interesting candidate who possibly none of us will know.”
Francis was determined to serve church to the very end, says cardinal
10:34 , Andy GregoryPope Francis was determined to serve the Catholic Church to the very end, a retired Vatican official has said.
“What surprised me was how determined he was to serve the Church and love his people with all his energy, to the very end,” Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista Re – the ceremonial leader of the College of Cardinals – told Italian daily la Repubblica.
Nearly 130,000 mourners pay final respects to Pope Francis
11:05 , Andy GregorySince the body of Pope Francis was brought to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, nearly 130,000 people from across the globe have bid farewell to the pontiff as he lies in state, according to the Vatican’s latest figures.
Queues on Friday morning after the basilica reopened for the day were stretching halfway down the main boulevard leading through Rome into the Vatican, Reuters reported.
The Vatican plans to end public viewings at 7pm this evening, ahead of a formal rite to seal the late pope’s coffin.
Outrage as mourners take selfies with Pope Francis’ open casket
11:35 , Andy GregoryMourners have sparked outrage after taking selfies with the open casket of Pope Francis.
Other mourners who witnessed their behaviour spoke about their shock. Janine Venables, a tourist from Wales who paid her respects on Wednesday, told MailOnline: “What did surprise me is the fact that earlier we were told no photos in the Sistine Chapel and here people were getting their phone out and doing selfies with the coffin.”
The 53-year-old added: “I did think that was a bit in poor taste and, I’m surprised no one stopped them.”
And Londoner Catherine Gilsenan, who paid her respects to the pope, told The Sun: “I was very moved coming so close to Pope Francis but it was awful seeing so many people taking pictures. We kept our phones very firmly in our pockets and would never dream of doing something so distasteful. People had been told not to use selfie sticks but lots ignored the warning.”
Sam Rkaina reports:
Outrage as mourners take selfies with Pope Francis’ open casket
Catholics remember Pope Francis as a friend of Africa
12:03 , Andy GregoryCentral African Republic’s capital had been torn apart by inter-religious violence leading up to Pope Francis’ 2015 visit, its streets haunted by fear and division.
Yet, there was the open-air popemobile driving through a Muslim-majority neighborhood of Bangui, a zone off-limits to Christians, with the pope crossing a line many feared amid a years-long civil war.
An imam at his side, Francis removed his shoes, bowed his head and entered a mosque, imploring people to “say ‘no’ to hatred, vengeance and violence, especially that committed in the name of a religion or God”.
The episode is being recalled by Catholics as they weigh the pontiff’s legacy throughout Africa, a continent where the faith is growing rapidly and where, unlike Francis, the priesthood leans deeply conservative.
Priests and parishioners who spoke to The Associated Press from Morocco to South Africa remembered Francis' commitment to the marginalized, including victims of violence, poverty or the enduring structures borne from colonialism.
“Christians and Muslims who used to stare at each other were reconciled,” Ella Carine Kossingou, a Bangui resident, said of Francis' visit. “I’m not Catholic, but I won’t forget his presence in our country.”
Sam Metz and Jean-Fernand Koena have more in this report:
Catholics remember Pope Francis as a friend of Africa, with some setting theology aside
Bishop describes ‘lots of tears’ at Vatican after Pope Francis’ death
12:31 , Andy GregoryA bishop at the Vatican has told of the tears shed among colleagues for Pope Francis, and a sense of “national pride” for Irish people that a Dublin man is overseeing arrangements until a new pontiff is elected.
Bishop Paul Tighe, who has been based at the Vatican for 17 years, said while Francis had been unwell, there was still a sense of shock about his death on Easter Monday, followed by a “madness” as people were “scattering to get back from wherever they were” over the holiday weekend.
While “the machine has kicked in fairly quickly” in terms of preparations for what comes next, there was still a sense of real loss among those in the Vatican for a man dubbed the people’s pope, he told the PA news agency.
The 67-year-old said: “The first emotion for most people is probably a sense of shock. We kind of knew this was coming, but it's like when an elderly relative dies, you might be waiting but when the moment comes, it’s kind of a shock, and you suddenly realise you’re in a new position.
“In the last few days, I've seen many of my colleagues – we all found a moment to go up and visit the body – lots of tears, not just the stoic ‘let’s move on’. Lots of tears, lots of sadness for so many people.”
How does a new pope get chosen?
12:59 , Andy GregoryBishop hails late Pope Francis as a voice for peace and justice
13:30 , Andy GregoryBishop Paul Tighe, who has been based at the Vatican for 17 years, has described the “very poignant” time he had spent with the late Pope Francis’s remains in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta earlier this week before the coffin was moved to St Peter's Basilica.
Asked if it felt like losing a family member, he told the PA news agency that it did “at some level” but added: “It’s also losing your boss. It’s losing the person who set his tone and direction. It’s also losing a person who had recovered enormous credibility for the Church in and through his own person.
“But also, even more, he was a voice for peace and a voice for justice at a time when the world has real need to hear that voice.”
‘I thank God that I was able to see him,’ says mourner
14:02 , Andy GregoryAs thousands continue to queue outside St Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects, Patricio Castriota, a visitor who – like the late Pope – is from Argentina, said: “It’s a very strong feeling [to be here]. This farewell was very sad, but I thank God that I was able to see him.”
“He’s the only pope we’ve had who came from South America, a pope who had many good intentions for the Catholic Church,” said Mr Castriota. “He cleaned up [a lot] of the bad, maybe not all of it, but he tried.”
Northern Ireland's first minister says Pope's legacy continues to inspire millions
14:29 , Andy GregoryNorthern Ireland’s first minister Michelle O’Neill has praised Pope Francis’s “unwavering commitment to justice and peace”.
Ms O’Neill has confirmed she will travel to Rome to join leaders from across the world for the pontiff’s funeral on Saturday.
The Sinn Fein vice president, who has cut short a family holiday to attend, said: “I am proud to be attending the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, paying my respects on behalf of everyone at home who cherished his leadership and looked to him as a spiritual and moral guide.
“Pope Francis will be remembered as a leader of deep humility, compassion and courage, with an unwavering commitment to justice and peace. His passing is deeply felt in Ireland and across the world, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire millions.”
Former US president Joe Biden to attend Pope Francis funeral
15:05 , Andy GregoryFormer US president Joe Biden and Jill Biden planned to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, their spokesperson Kelly Scully has said.
Mr Biden, a lifelong Catholic who had met the pope several times, awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January before leaving the White House.
Crying nun who knew Pope Francis breaks protocol at coffin of late Pontiff
15:37 , Andy GregoryFifty heads of state set to attend Pope's funeral, Vatican says
16:04 , Andy GregoryDonald Trump and Argentine president Javier Milei are among the world leaders and other dignitaries arriving Friday ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday.
The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns.
How Pope Francis’ funeral will be different from those held for predecessors
16:36 , Andy GregoryPope Francis’s funeral, scheduled for Saturday morning in St Peter’s Square, Rome, is expected to mirror the late pontiff’s humble and reformist papacy.
Breaking with tradition, the ceremony will prioritise simplicity over elaborate displays of grandeur.
More than 50,000 mourners have already visited St Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects, where Francis lies in state in a plain coffin placed close to the basilica floor. This starkly contrasts with the elevated biers used for his predecessors, Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
Mathilde Grandjean reports:
France pours could water on speculation over Ukraine talks on sideline of funeral
17:03 , Andy GregoryThere had been speculation that foreign leaders might have diplomatic meetings on the sidelines of the funeral to discuss the war in Ukraine, but the Elysee Palace said on Friday that France’s Emmanuel Macron would not host any such meetings.
Donald Trump was due to spend only about 15 hours in Rome, arriving late on Friday evening and leaving directly after the funeral.
What will happen during sealing of Pope Francis's coffin?
17:35 , Andy GregoryPope Francis’s coffin will be sealed in a ritual on Friday evening, marking the end of the three days of public viewing in St Peter’s Basilica.
This will be conducted by American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a trusted aide to Pope Francis and the current camerlengo - the official who runs the Holy See between the death or resignation of a pope and the election of the next one.
In one break from tradition, Pope Francis eschewed the previous three coffins made of cypress, lead and oak and will be interred in a simplified zinc coffin, inside a wooden casket.
The tomb is being prepared behind a wooden barrier within the basilica that he chose to be near an icon of the Madonna that he revered and often prayed before.
Photos released by the Vatican on Friday show the marble tombstone flat against the pavement, with the simple engraving in Latin that he requested in his last testament: "Franciscus".
A bag of coins minted during Francis’s time as pope is placed in the coffin, along with a one-page account of his papacy. That account is read aloud by the master of liturgical ceremonies before being rolled up into a tube that is put in the coffin.
Senior members of the Catholic Church will attend the ceremony, as well as the late Pope’s secretaries, Vatican News reports.
Trump praises Pope Francis as 'a good man' who 'loved the world'
18:02 , Andy GregoryAccompanied by US first lady Melania Trump, the funeral of Pope Francis will be Donald Trump’s first foreign trip of his second term.
“He was a good man, worked hard, he loved the world,” the US president told reporters.
When a reporter noted to Trump that the pope preached tolerance for migrants, the president replied: “Yes, he did.” The reporter asked Trump if he agreed, and he replied, “Yeah, I do.”
In 2016, while Mr Trump’s calls for a border wall with Mexico rang across the globe, the late pontiff had said: “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.”
Anger as US cardinal accused of covering up abuse given ceremonial honour of closing pope’s coffin
18:30 , Andy GregoryAdvocates for victims of church abuse have hit out after it emerged a disgraced U.S. cardinal is to help close and seal Pope Francis’ casket ahead of his funeral on Saturday.
Cardinal Roger Mahony, 89, was selected by the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations to be one of nine clergymen to be present at the ceremonial Rite of Sealing of the Coffin on Friday in St Peter’s Basilica. Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011, will also oversee the pope’s interment at Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major following the service in St. Peter’s Square this weekend, the Vatican announced.
The cardinal was stripped of his administrative and public duties with immediate effect in January 2013 by his successor, Archbishop of Los Angeles Jose Gomez, after he was accused of shielding priests embroiled in a child sex abuse scandal between the 1980s and 1990s to protect the Catholic Church.
James Liddell reports:
Anger as US cardinal accused of covering up church abuse given Pope Francis honor
Zelensky may miss Pope Francis's funeral - reports
18:55 , Bryony GoochUkraine president Volodymyr Zelensky may miss Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome on Saturday because of important military meetings, according to reports.
The Ukraine leader was meant to join fellow world leaders in attending the pontiff’s funeral, but has reportedly now said he may have to attend a “number of meetings” following Russia’s strike on Kyiv on Thursday, according to the BBC.
Zelensky told reporters: “If I am not (there) in time, Ukraine will be represented at a proper level”, noting that Ukraine's foreign minister and first lady will be there.
“There are several closed questions about this strike and about Ukraine's corresponding steps. I don't know how long it will take. So if I have time, I will definitely be present (at the funeral),” Zelensky said.
Trump’s two-word verdict on Pope Francis’ funeral as he departs for Rome
19:16 , Bryony Gooch
Trump’s two-word verdict on Pope Francis’ funeral as he departs for Rome
The pope's coffin has officially been sealed
19:29 , Bryony GoochThe Vatican held a liturgical rite at 7pm UK time in which they privately sealed the late pontiff’s coffin ahead of the funeral tomorrow.
Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell presided at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin of the late Pope Francis, which was attended by several Cardinals and Holy See officials.
It marked the end of public viewing in St. Peter’s Basilica, which saw hundreds of thousands of people pay their respects to the late Pope.
Quarter of a million people viewed Pope's body in three days
19:46 , Bryony GoochSome 250,000 mourners paid their respects to Pope Francis over a three-day lying-in-state, the Vatican said on the eve of his funeral.
World leaders and dignitaries were arriving in Rome on Friday, to attend what will be a huge gathering in St Peter's Square for his requiem mass.
The final mourners had a chance to see the Pope close up in the grand surrounds of St Peter's Basilica, before his coffin was closed in private.
World leaders to be seated in alphabetical order - but in French language
20:01 , Bryony GoochAs world leaders are set to attend the pope’s funeral on Saturday morning, a Vatican spokesperson has confirmed that Francis’s birth country of Argentina, then Italy, will take precedence.
Thereafter, reigning sovereigns will be seated "in alphabetical order, but in French language", followed by heads of state.
The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has predicted the funeral will be a “masterpiece” in stage-managing “big egos”.
What to expect at Pope Francis’ funeral
20:25 , Bryony GoochWhat to expect at Pope Francis’ funeral from Vatican rituals to iron-clad security
In pictures: Emmanuel Macron pays his respects to Pope Francis
20:46 , Bryony Gooch
In pictures: Faithfuls participate in holy mass for Francis
21:03 , Bryony Gooch
US cardinal accused of covering up church abuse given ceremonial honor of closing Pope Francis’s coffin
22:03 , Bryony GoochAdvocates for victims of church abuse have hit out after it emerged a disgraced U.S. cardinal is to help close and seal Pope Francis’ casket ahead of his funeral Saturday.
Cardinal Roger Mahony, 89, was selected by the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations to be one of nine clergymen to be present at the ceremonial Rite of Sealing of the Coffin on Friday in St Peter’s Basilica.
Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011, will also oversee the pope’s interment at Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major following the service in St. Peter’s Square this weekend, the Vatican announced.
The cardinal was stripped of his administrative and public duties with immediate effect in January 2013 by his successor, Archbishop of Los Angeles Jose Gomez, after he was accused of shielding priests embroiled in a child sex abuse scandal between the 1980s and 1990s to protect the Catholic Church.
James Liddell reports...
Anger as US cardinal accused of covering up church abuse given Pope Francis honor
In pictures: the late pope's coffin has been sealed
22:35 , Bryony GoochThe Vatican has shared photos of the private moment they sealed Pope Francis’s coffin ahead of the ceremony on Saturday morning.
Donald Trump has arrived at the Vatican
22:40 , Bryony GoochUS president Donald Trump has arrived at the Vatican ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday morning. He will attend with first lady Melania Trump.
