Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky held “productive” talks in the Vatican, shortly before the historic funeral of Pope Francis played out in front of around 200,000 mourners
Pictured face-to-face for a spontaneous meeting in St Peter’s Basilica, the pair held “productive discussions”, a White House official said. They were later joined by Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron.
Soon after the meeting, the solemn funeral brought closure to a 12-year papacy marked by humility, simplicity, and the championing of the world’s poorest.
Leading the service, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re echoed one of Francis’ strongest criticisms of Mr Trump, as the US president watched on alongside major world leaders.
The Cardinal made a call to "build bridges, not walls", in a speech which called for compassion towards migrants, an end to wars, and action on global climate change - Francis' favourite political themes.
Thousands now hope to catch a short glimpse of Francis’ wooden coffin as it passes to its final burial place in the Basilica of St Mary Major.
The 88-year-old Pontiff died on Monday from a stroke, followed by several days of mourning for the Argentinian.
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Key Points
- Zelensky and Trump meet in Vatican
- Cardinal appears to criticise Trump in Pope's funeral service
- Funeral mass draws to a close, final procession begins
- 'A Pope among the people' - Francis remembered at funeral
- What will happen during the funeral?
Burial to take place in private
12:05
,
Athena Stavrou
After arriving at St Mary Major’s basilica, Pope Francis will now be buried in private.
Francis left instructions asking to be buried in a simple underground tomb in the church - which lies a neighbourhood between the Colosseum and Termini train station.
This makes Francis the first pontiff in more than a century not to be buried at St Peter’s Basilica.
Report: Pope Francis wanted to ‘build bridges, not walls’, cardinal tells funeral in apparent swipe at Trump
12:03
,
Alex Croft
The cardinal leading the pope’s funeral mass appeared to criticise US president Donald Trump in his homily.
“‘Build bridges, not walls’ was an exhortation [Francis] repeated many times,” said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, as a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people watched in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City and millions more worldwide listened.
Mr Trump was seen seated looking solemn in the front row for the service for a pontiff, who pointedly disagreed with him on a variety of issues, mostly the pope’s compassion for migrants, whom the US president has repeatedly tried to deport.
Jane Dalton’s full report can be read here:
Pope's coffin arrives at St Mary Major
11:56
,
Athena Stavrou
The Pope’s coffin has arrived at St Mary Major’s basilica.
He will be buried in private in a simple underground tomb in the church.
A “group of poor and needy people” will be present on the steps leading to Saint Mary Major to pay their last respects to Francis before he is entombed, the Holy See said on Thursday.
Pictured: Crowds look on as Pope's coffin travels through Rome
11:53
,
Athena Stavrou
Pope's coffin passes major landmarks
11:48
Pope Francis’ coffin is now passing the Colosseum.
The Pontiff’s body is travelling through the streets of Rome to St Mary Major’s basilica.
Thousands have lined the streets to cheer for the late Pope’s simple wooden coffin as he passed by.
Mapped: The Pope's route to his final resting place
11:37
Pope Francis’ coffin is now being taken to his final resting place in St Mary Major Basilica.
The Pontiff’s body is being taken through the streets of Rome, about 4km from St Peter’s Basilica where his funeral mass has just taken place.
The route crosses the river Tiber and passes Piazza Venezia followed by the Colosseum.
The procession will be at walking pace to allow people to bid farewell to the pope on his final journey and is expected to take around 30 minutes, depending on crowds.
Thousands line the streets to say farewell to Pope
11:35
,
Athena Stavrou
Thousands have lined the streets of Rome to say a final farewell to Pope Francis.
Applause from crowds could be heard as Francis’ coffin passed in his Popemobile to the St Mary Major Basilica in Rome.
He will pass famous landmarks including the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia on the route to his final resting place.
The 4km journey is expected to take around half an hour.
The route has been barricaded for security reasons, and marks the final time the Pope will be “among the people”, as he requested.
The Independent's world affairs editor Sam Kiley reports live from The Vatican
11:29
,
Alex Croft
Funeral mass ends - what is next?
11:26
Pope Francis’ funeral mass has concluded, and his body will now be taken to his final resting place.
Francis has chosen to be buried in St Mary Major Basilica in Rome, about 4km from St Peter’s Basilica.
The coffin will be taken through the streets of Rome to an underground tomb, as per his instructions.
The procession will be at walking pace to allow people to bid farewell to the pope on his final journey.
This is expected to take around 30 minutes, depending on crowds.
Pope Francis to be buried with heartwarming note
11:25
,
Alex Croft
A note placed in Pope Francis’s coffin before his funeral pays tribute to his courage, his love of the poor and his “dialogue with Muslims and representatives of other religions”.
It refers to the 266th pope as “the beloved Shepherd of the Church”.
World leaders attended the funeral in front of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, where hundreds of thousands of spectators and mourners gathered.
In line with tradition, a bag of coins and medals minted during his papacy, as well as a "Rogito" – or deed – summarising his life were also placed inside the coffin.
The deed, a type of obituary written in Latin and sealed inside a metal cylinder, says he “left to all a marvellous witness of humanity, of holy living, and of universal fatherhood” and that the “entire Christian Community, especially the poor, praised God” for his work.
When he was a cardinal in his native Argentina, he was “a simple and much-beloved pastor in his Archdiocese”, it says.
Pope carried through 'door of death'
11:17
,
Athena Stavrou
The Pope’s coffin is now being carried through what is known as the “door of death”.
He is being carried to the left of the altar at St Peters basilica as a 10-ton funeral bell tolls.
Zelensky and Trump meet in St Peter's Basilica ahead of Pope's funeral
11:14
,
Athena Stavrou
Before Pope Francis’ funeral mass began, diplomacy between world leaders was taking place on the sidelines.
US President Donald Trump had a "very productive discussion" with Volodymyr Zelensky before the funeral, a White House official said.
It is the first time the pair have met in person since the calamitous Washington meeting in February, which saw the Ukrainian president booted out of the White House by a furious Mr Trump.
Steven Cheung, White House communications director, said Trump and Zelensky "met privately today and had a very productive discussion".
"More details about the meeting will follow," he said.
Coffin being carried back to alter
11:13
Pope Francis’s coffin is now being carried back inside St Peter’s basilica.
Cardinals filed into St Peter’s basilica ahead of the coffin, which was lifted in front of the congregation allowing them to say a final farewell.
Pope’s coffin sprinkled with holy water as service nears its end
11:02
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re is now sprinkling the coffin with holy water.
He will also take incense around the coffin.
The holy water represents baptism and the rising of incense smoke represents the prayers of the faithful rising to God.
Cardinal appears to criticise Trump in Pope's funeral service
11:01
,
Alex Croft
As Donald Trump sat in the crowd for the Pope’s funeral service, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re appeared to criticise the US president.
Repeating one of the late Pope Francis’ strongest criticisms of Mr Trump, the Cardinal made a call to "build bridges, not walls".
Mr Re also called for care for migrants, an end to wars, and action on global climate change - Francis' favourite political themes.
Trump and the pope exchanged criticisms over a decade, mostly related to the pope's plea for compassion for migrants, a group Trump has repeatedly sought to deport.
Mr Re's sermon, heard by a global audience of millions, contained a strong political message for the national leaders and a strong internal message to the world's Catholic cardinals.
Pictured: Huge crowds gathered for Pope's funeral
10:43
,
Alex Croft
Final portion of ceremony underway
10:42
,
Athena Stavrou
The final commendation and farewell is now taking place.
This is where the Pope is formally entrusted to God, marking the end of his funeral mass.
This portion of the service will see several prayers be carried out, including the Prayer of the Church in Rome which is currently being spoken.
Post communion prayer
10:38
,
Athena Stavrou
The post-communion prayer is now being read out, before the final commendation and farewell begins.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said: “As we come to the table of your eternal banquet, we humbly beg your mercy, Lord, for the soul of your departed servant Pope Francis, that he may rejoice at last in possession of the truth in which he faithfully confirmed your people.”
Communion distributed
10:31
Priests have been placed across all of St Peter’s Square to give all 200,000 attendees the opportunity to receive communion.
Trump shakes hands with Macron during Sign of Peace
10:24
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Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump shook hands with other world leaders during the Sign of Peace before the Communion Rite.
The US president shook hands with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is sat on the front row nearby.
The Sign of Peace is a ritual gesture at Catholic mass where individuals exchange handshakes or other gestures to express unity.
Prince William spoke to Trump before mass
10:19
The Prince of Wales spoke briefly to US President Donald Trump and the first lady Melania Trump on his way into the service, Kensington Palace said.
William also encountered and spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron before the mass.
The White House also said Trump had spoken to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky before the ceremony.
Bread and wine brought to alter as Liturgy of the Eucharist begins
10:10
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Athena Stavrou
Bread and wine is now being brought to the alter as the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is a main part of Catholic Mass and celebrates the Last Supper.
The procession is accompanied by an Offertory Chant.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re purified the alter and the congregation before beginning the chant.
Francis' work highlighted in homily
09:59
,
Athena Stavrou
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re is still delivering his homily in St Peter’s Square.
His speech has paid tribute to Pope Francis’ work for those in poverty or affected by war.
He said the examples of his work to help refugees and the displaced are "countless".
"War, he said, results in the death of people and the destruction of homes, hospitals and schools. War always leaves the world worse than it was before: it is always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone," Battista said.
Zelensky and Trump had 'productive discussion' before funeral
09:55
,
Athena Stavrou
Before Pope Francis’ funeral mass began, diplomacy between world leaders was taking place on the sidelines.
US President Donald Trump had a "very productive discussion" with Volodymyr Zelensky before the funeral, a White House official said.
It is the first time the pair have met in person since the calamitous Washington meeting in February, which saw the Ukrainian president booted out of the White House by a furious Mr Trump.
Steven Cheung, White House communications director, said Trump and Zelensky "met privately today and had a very productive discussion".
"More details about the meeting will follow," he said.
'A Pope among the people' - Homily read out in memory of Francis
09:46
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re is delivering a homily, remembering Pope Francis.
The dean of the College of Cardinals called Francis “a Pope among the people,” who “always sought to shed light on the problems of our time with the wisdom of the Gospel”.
“The outpouring of affection that we have witnessed in recent days following his passing from this earth into eternity tells us how much the profound pontificate of Pope Francis touched minds and hearts,” he told St Peter’s Square.
Watch: Pope Francis' coffin carried to St Peter's Square for funeral service
09:44
,
Alex Croft
Reading from the Gospel
09:38
,
Athena Stavrou
A reading from the Holy Gospel is now being heard in St Peter’s Square
Mourners stood as a cardinal sung: “When Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter: 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?'”
09:32
,
Athena Stavrou
The second reading is now being delivered in Spanish by Edgar Pineda.
He is reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians, after the square took part in the Responsorial Psalm.
Pictured: Mourners in St Peter's Square during Pope Francis' funeral
09:29
,
Athena Stavrou
First reading being given by Vatican journalist
09:27
,
Athena Stavrou
The first reading is now being given in English by Kielce Gussie, a journalist from Vatican News.
She is reading from the Acts of the Apostles: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
Opening prayer read to St Peter's Square
09:25
,
Athena Stavrou
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re has begun the funeral’s opening prayer.
The Deacon of the College of Cardinals told the hundreds of thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square: “O God, immortal shepherd of souls, look on your people's prayers and grant that our servant Pope Francis, who presided over your Church in charity, may, with the flock entrusted to his care, receive from your mercy the reward of a faithful steward.”
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re leading ceremony
09:21
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re has begun speaking.
The Deacon of the College of Cardinals will preside over the ceremony and at the end, sprinkle the coffin with holy water and incense.
He is currently leading the Penitential Act which allows the faithful to confess their sins to God.
Coffin placed in St Peter's Square
09:15
Pope Francis’ coffin has been placed in St Peter’s Square as his funeral mass begins.
Cardinals joined the procession as the choir sung: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
“Praise is due to you in Sion, O God.”
The ceremony begins with the entrance antiphon, a selection of psalm verses or scripture passages that are traditionally sung or recited.
Funeral procession beginning
09:07
,
Athena Stavrou
Pope Francis’ funeral procession is now beginning in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
There was a second round of applause as the Pope’s simple zinc lined wooden casket began its procession through the Basilica.
The coffin will be laid in the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica, where the mass will begin.
Donald Trump arrives at Pope Francis' funeral
09:03
,
Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump has arrived at St Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ funeral.
The US president went into the basilica with his wife, Melania, to pay his respects to the late pope.
He will now join other world leaders including Prince William, Ukrainian prime minister Volodymyr Zelensky and UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer for the funeral mass.
Prince William arrives
08:57
,
Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales has arrived at Pope Francis’ funeral.
Prince William paid his respects to the late Pontiff inside the basilica alongside the UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Emmanuel Macron arrives
08:55
,
Athena Stavrou
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at Pope Francis’ funeral.
Macron briefly went inside the basilica to pay his respects to the late Pope Francis.
He followed Argentina’s president Javier Milei, who will be seated ahead of other world leaders, as Francis was from Argentina.
Giorgia Meloni arrives
08:45
,
Athena Stavrou
Giorgia Meloni has arrived at St Peter’s Square.
The right-wing Italian prime minister clashed with Pope Francis on political ideals, but mourned him after his death as a friend who had given her comfort in tough times and done his duty to the end.
Who has arrived, who is to come
08:39
,
Athena Stavrou
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to be filing into St Peter’s Square to attend Pope Francis’ funeral this morning.
Among the crowd will be royalty and world leaders, some of whom have already began filing into the square.
Former US president Joe Biden was among the first to arrive on Saturday morning, followed shortly by Hungary and Greece’s prime ministers.
Royalty including Norway’s crown prince and Sweden’s King have also already arrived.
Other royalty including William, the Prince of Wales are expected to arrive soon, alongside the US president Donald Trump and UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Vatican City awaits beginning of funeral mass
08:31
,
Athena Stavrou
World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley reports from St Peter’s Square:
St Peter’s Square is not at capacity as worshippers gathered for Pope Francis’s funeral in an atmosphere of subdued celebration.
The religious part of the events got underway at 9:20am exactly with prayers, as the spring sun blazed against the basilica no doubt dazzling the cardinals seated on its steps - as they contemplated the legacy of the late pope and who to choose as the next Holy Father.
Biden arrives at funeral
08:18
Former US president Joe Biden has arrived in St Peter’s Square.
The mass is due to begin in around 20 minutes, with other world leaders including current US president Donald Trump expected to join.
How will the world leaders be seated?
08:00
,
Bryony Gooch
With 170 world leaders attending Pope Francis’s funeral, the seating plan has been described by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of Catholics in England and Wales, as a “master plan” in stage-managing “big egos”.
The official delegations will sit at a section to the right of the altar at the top of the steps leading toward St. Peter's Basilica.
Francis’s birth country of Argentina will take precedence in the seating arrangements, followed by Italy, as the pope is the bishop of Rome and the leader of the nation’s Catholic bishops.
Thereafter, reigning sovereigns such as Prince William will be seated "in alphabetical order, but in French language", as this is considered the language of diplomacy.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Friday that no distinction would be made between Catholic and non-Catholic royalty for the seating order.
This will be followed by heads of state, and later heads of government like the UK prime minister and Donald Trump - who may be disappointed to find himself not in the front row.
What to expect today:
07:55
,
Athena Stavrou
At 10am local time (9am UK time), the funeral for Pope Francis will begin.
Here is how we are expecting it to unfold:
- Before 10am, hundreds of thousands of people - including over 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns - will file into the square.
- The funeral will start at 10am, when the Pope’s coffin will be laid in the square in front of the basilica.
- The service will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals and will be mostly held in Latin.
- The two-and-a-half hour ceremony will begin with the entrance antiphon, a selection of psalm verses or scripture passages that are traditionally sung or recited.
- This will be followed by the Penitential Act which allows the faithful to confess their sins to God and an opening prayer.
- The first reading will be given in English by Kielce Gussie, a journalist from Vatican News. The second reading will be delivered in Spanish by Edgar Pineda. This will be followed by the Universal prayers.
- Before the end of the mass, Cardinal Re will sprinkle the coffin with holy water and incense.
- At the end of the mass, the choir will sing in Latin: “May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come and welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.”
- When the service is over, the coffin will be carried through the “door of death” to the left of the altar at St Peters, while a 10-ton funeral bell tolls.
- Pope Francis’ body will then be carried to his final resting place in St Mary Major Basilica in Rome. This is expected to take around 30 minutes, depending on crowds.
