World leaders arrive in Rome to bid final farewell to Pope Francis

Dozens of world leaders and hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have gathered to bid their final farewell to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

The service will begin at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST) in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Ukrainian President Zelensky arrived in Rome on Saturday morning, his spokesman confirms, and it was thought he might miss the funeral.

US President Donald Trump is also in Rome, his first trip abroad in his second term as president.

Many heads of state and royalty have confirmed their attendance at today's funeral, including Prince William, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

There are also many political figures expected to be in St. Peter's Square today, including:

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump

Former US President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Argentine President Javier Milei./ CNA

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