World leaders gather in the Vatican for Pope Francis’s funeral as millions of Catholics prepare final farewell – live updates
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Pope Francis’s funeral is taking place in St Peter’s Square this morning as world leaders gather in Vatican City to pay their final respects to the head of the Catholic Church.
Vast crowds will line the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica where Francis lay in state for three days following his death on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
Dozens of heads of state and royals will attend the service in the most prominent gathering of world leaders since the second inauguration of US President Donald Trump in January.
Live updates below
Pope Francis’s funeral takes place in Vatican City
Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of Pope Francis’s funeral in Vatican City as world pays its final respects to the head of the Catholic Church.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral this morning in St Peter’s Square, among them heads of state, royals, Catholic officials and mourners from around the globe.
It comes after Francis died in the early hours of Easter Monday hours after he made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday despite ongoing health struggles.
The 88-year-old spent 38 days in Rome’s Gemelli hospital earlier this year after a respiratory illness turned into double pneumonia which had left him critically ill.
Italian and Vatican authorities have placed the area around St Peter’s under tight security with drones blocked, snipers on roofs and fighter jets on standby.
Stick with us throughout the day as we bring you the latest updates from the funeral which starts at 9am UK time (10am local time) plus reaction, analysis and the most eye-catching videos and pictures from the day.
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