Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

Image source, Reuters

As the news breaks that Prince William will attend the funeral on behalf of the King, it's worth remembering that he and Queen Camilla were among the last high-profile figures to hold a meeting with the Pope.

The private meeting, which took place two weeks ago during the royal visit to Italy, was held at the Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis died on Monday morning.

Buckingham Palace said the meeting had been a highlight of the trip to Italy, describing it as a "very significant and special moment".

There had originally been plans for a state visit to the Vatican, but the Pope's serious health problems meant that it had been cancelled.

The 20-minute private meeting with the Pope on 9 April was described by Palace officials as having been a very moving encounter.

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The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of Pope Francis on behalf of King Charles III, Kensington Palace says in a statement.

• Prince William will join several world leaders at the service - we've taken a look at who else will be attending

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Pope Francis will be buried at St Mary Major Basilica (Santa Maria Maggiore), on his request.

"I've always had a great devotion to St Mary Major, even before I became pope," Francis said in his 2024 book El Sucesor (The Successor).

In an interview with the Times newspaper, the basilica’s master of ceremonies and head of liturgy, Father Ivan Ricupero, said Pope Francis "has been here 125 times since becoming Pope and always brings flowers”.

The church was founded in 432, a year after the Council of Ephesus declared Mary to be the Mother of God. It is around 4km (2.5 miles) from the Vatican.

The late pontiff's decision breaks with tradition, as he set out in his testament that he wished to have a simple underground burial.

Francis will be the first pope since Leo XIII, who died in 1903, to be buried outside the Vatican.

Laura Gozzi
Reporting from the Vatican

Image source, EPA

The Vatican press office is sharing more information about the Pope's final 24 hours in rather extraordinary detail.

Francis was slightly apprehensive about appearing on the balcony on Sunday, and he voiced this with his personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti.

"Do you think I can do this?" he asked. Strappetti reassured him, and shortly after Francis was on the balcony, blessing the crowd below him.

Afterwards, he thanked Strappetti: "Thank you taking me back to the square," he said.

After his appearance, Francis returned to his quarters, rested and had dinner.

The Vatican says that the next morning, around 05:30 local time (04:30am BST), Francis started feeling unwell. He was attended to immediately.

An hour later, he waved at Strappetti, then slipped into a coma.

"Those who were near him in those moments say he didn't suffer," the Vatican says.

"It was a discreet death, without long waits or too much clamouring."

Image source, Reuters

Cardinals play a central role in the papal election, known as a conclave. There are currently 252 Catholic cardinals, but only 135 are eligible to vote for a new pope as they must be under 80 years of age to partake.

Here's a breakdown of the number of cardinals by continent:

1. Europe: 114
2. Asia: 37
3. South America: 32
4. Africa: 29
5. North America: 28
6. Central America: 8
7. Oceania: 4

When it comes to voting power, here's a look at the number of electors:

1. Europe: 53
2. Asia: 23
3. Africa: 18
4. South America: 17
5. North America: 16
6. Central America: 4
7. Oceania: 4

The youngest member of the College of Cardinals is the Ukrainian-born Melbourne bishop Mykola Bychok, 45. The oldest is 99-year-old Angelo Acerbi, an veteran of the Vatican diplomatic service.

Image source, Getty Images

In the hours since the pontiff's death was confirmed, our correspondents have been sharing snapshots of the reaction and tributes that have poured in from around the world.

Here's a selection of some of their latest dispatches.

Philippines

Faithful in the South East Asian country - where around 85% of the population are Roman Catholic - tell our correspondent Jonathan Head they feel like orphans following Francis's death.

Brazil

Editor Caio Quero reflects on the close relationship the Pope shared with the country - home to the world’s largest Catholic population - and its president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Australia

James Chater reports on leaders' decision to pause campaigning ahead of a national election next week.

Argentina

In the Pope's home country, people from all walks of life have gathered to pay their respects, including some of Buenos Aires' homeless population, reports South America correspondent Ione Wells.

Ukraine

BBC Ukrainian's Olha Kalmykova unwinds the complex relationship between the pontiff and President Zelensky, who she writes will attend the Pope's funeral.

Nigeria

BBC's Chris Ewokor reflects the "unspoken feeling" among more than 30 million Catholic Nigerians that they would want the new Pope to visit their country.

Mexico

Latin America correspondent Will Grant, reporting from Mexico City, examines the influence Pope Francis had on the Spanish-speaking world.

Rome

And last but certainly not least, Europe reporter Laura Gozzi is at the church where the Pope is to be buried on Saturday. She observes a steady stream of visitors arriving to pay their respects.

St Peter's Square in the Vatican City has been the focus for Catholics and tourists since the announcement of Pope Francis's death.

It was also the location of a meeting of cardinals this morning where they decided the pontiff's funeral would be held on Saturday 26 April.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, EPA

Another rosary prayer will be held today in the Vatican's St Peter's Square to remember Pope Francis, starting at 19:30 local time (18:30 BST, 17:30 GMT).

Separate prayers will be held from 21:00 local time (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT) at Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state for the Vatican.

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis's body will be moved to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, where he will lie in state.

Here's more detail on how we expect the day to go:

• The coffin carrying the Pope will be taken from Casa Santa Martato St Peter's Basilica at 09:00 local time (08:00 BST)
• Cardinal Kevin Farrell will lead a prayer before the body is moved
• A procession will pass through the Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani before entering St Peter's Basilica
• Cardinal Farrell will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, which is made up of mostly readings from the Bible
• The Pope's coffin will remain there for the public to pay their respects until his funeral on Saturday

Ione Wells
Reporting from Buenos Aires

In Pope Francis’s home city of Buenos Aires, people are gathering to pray at the cathedral, many of whom are in tears.

Outside, candles and posters adorn the pillars. Many say that the Pope is remembered for making the church a place for todos, todos, todos - everyone, everyone, everyone.

He is remembered here for his work helping the poor, including visiting soup kitchens and prisons during his time as archbishop of the city.

This was important in a country that has faced significant economic challenges. A famous photo of him from that period shows him riding the train with ordinary people here - a rejection of the pomp often associated with people of his status.

This morning, some of those paying their respects and reading the signs are homeless people from the city.

Image source, Spanish Royal Household/EPA

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain will join world leaders attending Pope Francis's funeral at the Vatican on Saturday, the royal palace told AFP news agency today.

Addressing a reception in Madrid on Tuesday, Felipe said the 88-year-old Argentine pontiff transcended the Catholic Church to become "an enormous ethical beacon of our world, of our time".

In Spain, where Catholics make up more than half of the population, three days of national mourning have been declared.

• You can see a list of other attendees in our previous post

Sarah Rainsford
Eastern Europe correspondent, reporting from the Vatican

Image source, Vatican Media

The body of Pope Francis is now lying in an open coffin in the chapel of his Vatican residence - flanked by Swiss guards and cardinals in prayer.

Tomorrow morning the coffin will be carried in a procession to St Peter’s Basilica where for three days, people will be able to file past and pay their respects.

The Papal apartments have been sealed with wax - marking the start of what’s known as the Sede Vacante - or empty seat – until a new head of the church is elected.

But first comes the funeral on Saturday - with heads of state expected from all over the world.

Even so, Francis left clear instructions that he wanted a pared back ceremony in keeping with his simpler tastes as Pope.

He even arranged a benefactor to pay for it all.

And unlike the vast majority of his predecessors, Pope Francis will not be buried in St Peter’s in the Vatican - but in a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in central Rome …and beneath a tombstone inscribed only with his name.

Olha Kalmykova
BBC News Ukrainian, reporting from the Vatican

Image source, Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska are planning to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the president’s office has confirmed.

Their decision to travel to the Vatican for Saturday’s funeral highlights the global significance of the occasion and the late Pope’s emphasis on moral leadership during a time of war and humanitarian crises.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis repeatedly called for peace in Ukraine and expressed deep concern for the suffering of civilians.

However, some of his remarks about the war in Ukraine were met with criticism. Many in Ukraine reproached the late Pope for not speaking clearly enough about Russia as the aggressor, contributing to tensions between Kyiv and the Vatican in recent years.

That said, the decision by President Zelensky and the First Lady to attend the funeral is a gesture of respect for Francis’s broader humanitarian message and his consistent advocacy for an end to violence. It also reflects Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to engage with global moral and spiritual leaders.

More world leaders are confirming their plans to attend the Pope's funeral on Saturday, which is set to take place on the steps in front of St Peter's Basilica.

Here's a look at who's said they will be making an appearance:

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to attend the event, AFP reports, citing a government source

• Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who shared a personal rapport with the Pope, will also be travelling to Vatican City for the ceremony
• Polish President Andrzej Duda is attending and has also declared Saturday as a day of national mourning
• EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's office confirmed she's going
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make an appearance
• US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron both announced their intention to attend even before the date was confirmed
• Javier Milei, the president of Argentina - birthplace of Pope Francis - announced plans to attend the service within hours of his death
• And in the last few minutes, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said he'll be heading to Vatican City for the service

Damian Grammaticas
Political correspondent

Image source, Reuters

Keir Starmer is expected attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, Downing Street says.

Asked whether Starmer would be at the funeral, his official spokesperson says "you can expect the prime minister to attend".

The spokesperson tells reporters at a daily Downing Street briefing that the prime minister "joins millions around the world in grieving the death of His Holiness".

The spokesperson adds "he paid tribute to his leadership in a complex and challenging time, and I think it's right, like other world leaders, that he pays tribute to his life and attends his funeral".

Italy's government has declared five days of national mourning following the death of Pope Francis.

The mourning will last until Saturday, when the late pontiff's funeral will be held outside St Peter's Basilica.

Image source, Reuters

The Pope's death and the choosing of his successor are creating renewed interest in the 2024 political thriller Conclave, starring Stanley Tucci and Ralph Fiennes.

The film tells the story of a fictional conclave, the secretive ritual where cardinals gather in the Vatican to elect a new Pope. A real life conclave is due to take place following the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend.

Conclave won several awards this year, including an Oscar for best adapted screenplay, as well as four Baftas, including best film.

The story is based on the 2016 bestselling novel by Robert Harris, who told the BBC last year he was inspired by the "riveting" and "raw" politics of papal conclaves.

He said he wrote the book because he "wanted to reflect the genuine divisions within the Church, which exist just as they exist within secular politics".

BBC Africa

There has been a lot of talk on whether the next Pope could come from Africa - and consequently make history as the "first African pope".

However, strictly speaking, there have already been at least three Popes from the continent.

All three were linked to regions of North Africa, which were part of the Roman Empire. The most recent, Pope Gelasius I, died more than 1,500 years ago.

So, if an African cardinal succeeds Pope Francis, they would technically be the first African Pope of modern times.

Three African cardinals from DRC, Ghana and Guinea are among the contenders for the papacy so could the continent provide the first black pope of modern times?

The Archbishop of Abuja Ignatius Kaigama spoke to the BBC about his hopes for the new leader.

As we've been reporting, cardinals this morning set a date for Pope Francis's funeral - and soon they'll also decide on when to start the process to select his successor.

Once Francis is buried, the dean of the College of Cardinals has 15 to 20 days to summon the cardinals to Rome to begin the secretive ritual known as the conclave - from the Latin cum clave, meaning with a key - to choose the next Pope.

All conversations with outsiders are forbidden during this period.

Read more about how the cardinals come to their decision.