Pope Francis funeral updates as Prince William and Trump arrive (2025)

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Thank you for following our live coverage of the funeral of Pope Francis I.

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What is the ancient tradition of the Novemdiales? Nine days of mourning explained

Francis is the first pontiff for more than a century not to be buried at St Peter’s Basilica. The last pope who asked to be buried outside the Vatican was Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903.

The Vatican announced that people will be able to visit Francis’s tomb from Sunday morning.

The funeral marks the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and masses for the repose of the late Pope’s soul.

The Novemdiales masses will be held each day at 5pm local time in St Peter’s Basilica, apart from the mass on Divine Mercy on Sunday April 27, which will take place at 10.30am in St Peter’s Square.

The secret meeting of cardinals, known as the conclave, to pick Francis’s successor is expected to begin between 15 and 20 days after the Pope’s death.

Downing Street confirms PM met Zelensky in Rome

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister met President Zelenskyy in Rome this afternoon.“They discussed positive progress made in recent days to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

“They agreed to maintain momentum and continue working intensively with international partners to drive forward the next stages of planning.“The leaders agreed to speak again at the earliest opportunity.”

Thre pair were earlier pictured speaking at a bilateral meeting at The Villa Wolkonsky in Rome.

BREAKING: Pope Francis has now been buried

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis has been buried Basilica of Santa Maria Maggior, in a closed ceremony that took aroun 30 minutes.

A statement from the Vatican said: "The [burial] rite took place according to the prescriptions of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, presided over by the Cardinal Camerlengo, in the presence of those indicated in the relevant Notification of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations and the relatives of the deceased Pope, and concluded at 1.30pm (12.30pm UK time)."

Race is on to select the next Papel - what happens next

During the time between Francis’ death and the election of his successor, the College of Cardinals will keep general oversight of the church, but it is barred from making any major decisions.

The cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel, where they must all swear an oath of secrecy and vote by secret ballot. Only cardinals under age 80 are eligible to vote and a two-thirds majority is needed to elect a new pope.

The cardinals will cast repeated votes until a two-thirds majority emerges.

After every vote, smoke will be released through a chimney that can be seen from St. Peter’s Square, where huge crowds have previously formed to watch.

If a vote ends without a two-thirds majority, the smoke is black.

When a decision is reached, the smoke will be white.

There is speculation about who could be next in line, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State and Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, former head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Cardinal Luis Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and former Archbishop of Manila, is also said to be in the running, and as a Filipino, would be the first Asian Pope.

Migrant outside basilica says Francis understood their plight

One of the migrants who met Pope Francis’ coffin at his place of burial said that Francis understood the difficulties faced by people who left their native countries.

Annamaria Martinez of Venezuela said “Francis always looked at the best part of every person.’’ She burst into tears as she said, “He was unique and I’m so sad now.’’

Touching note to be buried in coffin with Pope Francis unveiled

Pope Francis I will be buried with a touching note commemorating the "simple" life he led during his 13 years as pontiff, it has been revealed. The late leader of the Catholic Church's shock death aged 88 on Easter Monday, just weeks after he was discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital following a bout of double pneumonia, has resulted in an outpouring of affection from around the world.

Vatican City representatives have revealed 200,000 people were present in the microstate for his funeral this morning, during which service leader Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, commemorated his Pontificate as one that "touched minds and hearts". He will be buried with a document bearing similar words remembering the "simple and much-loved shepherd" this afternoon.

The Pope will be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore, a basilica in central Rome the Pontiff frequented before his death, in a wooden coffin lined with zinc. Placed on his body before it was sealed on Friday was a page-long biographical obituary remembering the "simple and much-loved shepherd" who was "one of the people".

Read more: Touching note to be buried in coffin with Pope Francis unveiled

Tens of thousands attend Mass for Francis in East Timor

Tens of thousands of mourners attended a funeral Mass for Francis at a seaside park near East Timor’s capital of Dili.

Francis made a historic visit to the overwhelmingly Catholic Southeast Asian country in September 2024, drawing over 600,000 people at the main event.

Zelensky says meeting had potential to become 'historic'

Following his 15 minute meeting with Donald Trump as St Peter's Basilica ahead of Pope Francis' funeral, Zelensky has hailed their sit down as 'historic'.

The Ukrainian president said: "Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you."

Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to… pic.twitter.com/q4ZhVXCjw0

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 26, 2025

William sits away from other royals at Pope's funeral amid Vatican diplomacy

Scotland's first minister says Francis' funeral 'was very moving'

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has said the funeral of Pope Francis was “very moving” and “uplifting”, after attending the ceremony in the Vatican.

Speaking from St Peter’s Square, he said: “It’s been a very moving ceremony, a very dignified ceremony, paying tribute to a life of service in arguing for the protection of the poor and to support those who seek justice.

“But also an uplifting service about the hope for the world that Pope Francis conveyed.”

The First Minister is meeting with Bishop John Keenan, who is also in Rome representing the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Mr Swinney praised the pontiff’s contributions on international conflict and tackling climate change, saying: “Pope Francis gave the perfect example of leadership, a combination of spiritual leadership to the faithful and dignified leadership to the world.”

Public access is now halted

The public access to today's proceedings has now come to an end with the arrival of Pope Francis's coffin to his final resting place.

The pontiff will now be buried in Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Neither the media nor the public are allowed to attend proceedings from here, but later on, there will be a rosary service which is open to both.

Watch: Biden takes a selfie before Pope's funeral begins

'It's so sad - but also I'm privileged to have been here'

Madison Gifford, an American student studying in Rome, said of the service: "People here say 'papa' for Pope, which we don't say back home. But now, having been here four months, he felt like my papa, my dad.

"But to see him here now. He's gone. It's so sad but also I'm privileged to have been here."

She was sitting near a German couple who came straight from a bar after a heavy night out. "But I thought it was great, and I think that's why the atmosphere was as it was - because everyone was welcome."

Trump in double 'disgrace' at Pope's funeral as president totally distracted

Pope’scoffin received by a 'group of poor and needy people'

The Pope’s coffin has been received by a “group of poor and needy people” as it arrived at St Mary Major church where he will be buried.

The coffin arrived after a procession through Rome where crowds had gathered to pay their respects and clapped as the casket drove past. The Holy See said on Thursday that a “group of poor and needy people” would be present on the steps leading to Saint Mary Major to pay their last respects to Francis before he is entombed.

The Vatican previously announced that people will be able to visit Francis’s tomb from Sunday morning.

Francis will be buried in a private ceremony later today

Pope Francis’ coffin has arrived at St. Mary Major Basilica, where he will be buried in a private ceremony later Saturday.

It was met by about 40 migrants, prisoners, homeless and transgender people each holding a white rose. Their inclusion was emblematic of his care for the marginalized. Francis is the first pope to be buried outside of the Vatican in 100 years.

Pictured: Pope's coffin arrives at Basilica of St Mary Major

More people turn out in Rome to watch Pope's final motorcade journey

The motorcade for the pope’s coffin is continuing through Rome’s historic center, where the crowds have thickened.

People were on the steps of the Tomb of the Unknown soldier to catch a glimpse of the papal coffin. It continued past the ancient Roman Forum and Colosseum, to applause and shouts of “Il Papa!” (the pope).

Pope Francis' nine last words before waving at Easter mass crowds hours before death

Among the Pope’s final words were nine words he spoke to the nurse who had cared relentlessly for him during his illness, thanking him for bringing him back to St Peter's Square and asking a heartbreaking question.

Francis, 88, expressed his gratitude to Massimiliano Strappetti, who sat by his side in the Gemelli Hospital for 38 days and kept watch round the clock during his last weeks at home in the Vatican. He was with The Holy Father on Sunday when he rode through adoring crowds in the popemobile, after wishing them a Happy Easter for one final time from the St Peter’s Basilica balcony. The day before, they had gone together to review the route he would take on Sunday, The Vatican’s official news outlet reported.

Read more: Pope Francis' nine last words before waving at Easter mass crowds hours before death

Donald Trump explains why he attended Pope's funeral – and it's all about him

An incredibly emotional moment

Nationalities' flags are being waved, signs held aloft in Francis' honour amid a backdrop of constant applause, which rose to a crescendo as his coffin was taken back inside the basilica.

Some people are smiling, some are crying. An incredibly emotional moment.

One huge flag says in Francis' native Spanish: "Adios padre, Maestro y poeta" - meaning "goodbye father, teacher and poet".

Pope's coffin being driven through the streets

Pope Francis's coffin is on the Popemobile and is being driven through the thousands of people lining the streets.

This is the very last time the public will see his coffin before he is buried at Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Crowds applauded and yelled “Papa Francesco!” as a slow-moving motorcade escorting the pope’s coffin to his final resting place left the Vatican to make its way across Rome.

The popemobile was flanked by police on motorcycles.

Trump bags unexpected front-row seat at Pope's funeral after 'master plan'

BREAKING: Trump and Zelensky face off at Basilica in first meeting since White House spat

Pope Francis' coffin is led away from St Peter's Square

Pope Francis' coffin has now been led away from the thousands gathered on St Peter's Square.

Pol bearers are carrying the Argentinian Pontiff's body through St Peter's Basillica lined by clergymen.

The pontiff will then be buried in Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore - or Saint Mary Major - rather than at St Peter's Basilica, like almost all his predecessors.

Holy water is sprinkled on coffin - followed by more incense

Holy water is being sprinkled on the coffin one last time by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, before more incense is carried around the coffin.

Re says: "Gracious Father, we commend to your mercy our Pope Francis whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of the Church, a fearless preacher of your word and a faithful minister of the divine mysteries."

"Welcome him, we pray, into your heavenly dwelling place, to enjoy eternal glory with all your chosen ones."

Incense being burnt around Francis' coffin

A member of the clergy is now walking around the coffin burning incense - and is used to symbolise purification and consecration.

"God of our salvation, grant rest to the soul of your servant," the clergy say in their prayer.

"Lover of mankind, lead him, with the souls of the just, to the blessings of eternal life in your presence.

"Guide the soul of your servant to the place of your rest, Lord, where your Saints repose, you who alone are immortal."

What happens to the Pope's body after funeral as he breaks a time-honoured tradition?

Final commendation and farewell

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re is giving the final commendation and farewell as the funeral service comes to a close.

He is now commending the Pope's soul to God and asks for consolation for the Roman Catholic Church.

"Dear brothers and sisters, let us commend to God's tender mercy the soul of Pope Francis, bishop of the Catholic," he says. "Church, who confirmed his brothers and sisters in the faith of the resurrection."