Thousands of mourners and dozens of world leaders are attending the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica, following his death at age 88.
Dozens of world leaders and thousands of mourners are gathering for the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The funeral Mass is taking place on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the Catholic Church’s most sacred sites, with more than 50 world leaders and 11 reigning monarchs attending.
U.S. President Donald Trump is in Rome for the ceremony — his first foreign trip of his second term. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in Rome, his spokesman confirmed.
Pope Francis died after suffering a stroke just one day after he appeared in the same square to offer a blessing to the faithful at the high point of the Christian calendar.
Over the past three days, more than 250,000 people have filed past the pope’s body, which was laid out in a coffin before the altar inside the vast, 16th-century St. Peter’s Basilica.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter and Italy’s First Lady Laura Mattarella, arrived solemnly at St. Peter’s Square ahead of the funeral Mass for Pope Francis. The president's presence reflected the nation's deep mourning and enduring connection with the Vatican.
Britain was represented by Prince William, who walked with quiet reverence among the attendees, honoring the pontiff’s legacy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer, were also present, joining other global leaders in paying tribute to Pope Francis.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter and Italy’s First Lady Laura Mattarella, arrived early to represent the host nation. Britain's Prince William walked quietly among the mourners, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer, offered their respects.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei, representing the pope’s homeland, was seen making a heartfelt gesture ahead of the ceremony. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, alongside his wife Elke Büdenbender and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, also attended, highlighting the broad European representation.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden made their way through the square, reflecting the pope’s significant impact on American Catholics and global diplomacy. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres walked solemnly, paying tribute to a leader who often championed peace, human rights, and care for the poor on the world stage.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron with his wife Brigitte Macron were also present among the mourners.
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Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
A powerful magnitude 7 earthquake has struck Tibet in southwestern China, killing 16 people and injuring 65, while forcing more than 12,000 residents to relocate as rescue teams respond to widespread aftershocks.
Around 11,000 people joined a demonstration in Orléans on Saturday against the National Rally congress, according to the local prefecture.
German police have detained a suspect after a major fire broke out at the historic Kehlsteinhaus, known as the “Eagle’s Nest”, a mountain retreat once used by senior Nazi officials, including Adolf Hitler.
Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan on Saturday, leaving one person dead and more than 500 injured as strong winds and torrential rain brought down trees, cut power and disrupted transport across the island.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday dismissed accusations that Canada planned to interfere in next month’s U.S. midterm elections, saying he was disappointed by comments from the American ambassador.
Kenya has recorded a second death from Ebola, the health ministry said late on Friday, as the outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread across Africa.
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