Royals, dignitaries and world leaders have joined thousands of mourners in the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis. Follow the latest below.
Saturday 26 April 2025 11:35, UK
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Live reporting by Ollie CooperandBhvishya Patel
Pope Francis’s coffin is on the Popemobile and is being driven through the thousands of people lining the streets.
This is the last time the public will see the Pope’s coffin before it is buried in Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
People on the streets break into applause as the coffin passes them and Pope Francis makes his final journey to his resting place.
By Lisa Holland, Sky correspondent, in Rome
We’re standing by yellow tape which now seals both sides of the route the Pope’s body will shortly be taken along to his burial.
People began to drift away towards the end of the St Peter’s square service – to get a spot along the roads leading to the Santa Maria Maggiore.
Watch: 3D map shows Pope’s funeral route
The service has mainly been watched so far by world leaders, royals and the clergy – it was so hard for the general public to get anywhere near the actual service.
Now is their chance to be close to the adapted hearse which will carry the Pope’s body to its final resting place.
The ability to do this for many Catholics will make this a more personal moment – a chance to say goodbye.
The sun is beating down and the people here seem reflective and quiet .
A police convoy with sirens breaks the silence – making final security checks before the Papal vehicle appears.
More than 250,000 people have come out to mourn the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican tells us.
They’re crammed inside St Peter’s Square, as well as in Via della Conciliazione and the adjoining side streets.
Back to the ceremony now…
With the gentle applause of those congregated in St Peter’s Square, the requiem mass has ended.
The Pope’s coffin in now being carried back into St Peter’s Basilica.
There will then be a procession leading the Pope’s body through the streets so members of the public can catch one last glimpse of his coffin before he’s buried in Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore – or Saint Mary Major.
Away from the ceremony for a moment – as we’ve just been sent images that show Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting this morning.
The extraordinary pictures, which show the two presidents speaking inside St Peter’s Basilica itself, confirm our reporting earlier that the pair met ahead of the funeral.
“The presidents met at St Peter’s Basilica, and the meeting lasted about 15 minutes,” Zelenskyy’s office said.
“The leaders agreed to continue negotiations today. Teams are working on organising the follow-up meeting.”
The final picture shows Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer also speaking to the pair.
Holy water is being sprinkled on the coffin one last time by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as the clergy sing the responsory.
This is followed by more incense.
“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,” Re goes on to say.
“Welcome him, we pray, into your heavenly dwelling place, to enjoy eternal glory with all your chosen ones.”
A member of the clergy now walks around the coffin burning incense – it is burned during mass and other liturgical ceremonies to symbolise purification and consecration.
As this is done a prayer of the Eastern Churches is being given.
It should be noted, Pope Francis gave his effort and determination to link Western and Eastern churches around the world.
“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.”
By Adam Parsons, Europe correspondent, in St Peter’s Square
It’s now really hot.
A woman just collapsed in the crowd and has been stretchered out.
I’ve seen a few people staggering out, while the volunteers have been handing out bottles of water.
A few people brought umbrellas to give themselves shade while plenty of others have retreated to the sanctuary of the shadows at the side of the square.
Some are sheltering in other ways…
The Prince of Wales spoke briefly with US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania just before the ceremony began, according to Kensington Palace.
He also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte ahead of the mass.
Here’s a clip of the Prince arriving…
We are now coming to the close of the funeral service and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re is giving the final commendation and farewell.
This is where he commends 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.”
Members of the clergy begin the litany of the saints – it is a list of each of the saints being summoned today and with each name comes the reply “pray for him”.
St John Paul II – the former pope – is included in the list.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free