John Hume (Junior) tells the congregation that their parent's marriage was "without a doubt Dad’s greatest achievement and she [Pat] enabled him to reach his full potential".

He says Pat Hume "loved, supported and guided" her husband throughout his life.

"What we do remember are endless coffee cups and overflowing ashtrays, newspapers everywhere, and a constant stream of callers night and day to our home in West End Park.

"But he was there for all of us throughout his life."

He adds that the care his father received "in the last years of his life allowed him to retain his dignity, individuality and his magnificent strength of character, despite his overwhelming disabilities".

"If he were here, he would urge us to look at those young carers and the incredible and heroic daily work they do as a model for future leadership - their ethos of deep respect, a respect for everyone regardless of where they come from or stage of life.

"These are the foundation stones that are critical to all communities.

"The Reverend Martin Luther King might describe it as the politics of love.

"Dad would urge us to listen, so that in spite of it all; we shall overcome.

"Thank you Dad for a life well lived."

Northern Ireland First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill keep a distance apart, respecting Covid-19 guidelines on social distancing, while seated inside St Eugene's Cathedral.

Both women are wearing face coverings and observing social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Small numbers are gathered at the gates of St Eugene's Cathedral as the Mass takes place.

Mr Hume's family urged mourners wishing to line the streets to respect Covid-19 guidelines on gatherings and light a "candle for peace" at home.

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

Mr Hume's son, John, tells mourners that his "dad was a Derry man to the core".

He says that central to his father's work "was his deep appreciation of human interdependency".

He hails the kindness shown to him by the people of Derry and Donegal, who stopped to talk to his father in the street every day, "guided him to protect his independence, and received him with gentleness if he was agitated".

John Hume (Junior) is the youngest son of John and Pat Hume.

The rain fell on mourners gathering in the grounds of St Eugene's Cathedral as the hearse carrying the body of Mr Hume arrived earlier.

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

John Hume's son, John, has taken to the pulpit to pay tribute to his father.

Summing up his Dad’s life in a few minutes is “not an easy task”, he says.

He says that for “a man who supposedly had only one single transferable speech, Dad did a lot of different things in his life”.

“He also made us laugh, dream, think and sometimes look at him and scratch our heads in amazement.

“He also kept the Irish chocolate industry in healthy profits for many years.

“We often found it odd how a man with the intelligence to win a Nobel Prize could seriously believe that Crunchies were less fattening because they are full of air”.

The letter from the Vatican is followed by a written tribute from the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

He said he was pleased to be able to meet Mr Hume during one of his "several visits to Northern Ireland".

"Indeed, his deep conviction in the power of dialogue and negotiations in resolving the problem in his homeland has been an example of non-violent resolution of issues," he added.

"It was his leadership and his faith in the power of negotiations that enabled the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to be reached.

"His steady persistence set an example for all of us to follow.

"Although my fellow Nobel laureate is no longer with us, his message about peace and non-violence in the resolution of conflict, no matter how protracted or difficult it may seem to be, will long survive him.

"He lived a truly meaningful life."

The Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, welcomes those present at the service and watching elsewhere.

He says this "is at heart a family event as they grieve the loss of a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle".

"But I know that this is not just a local event.

"John belonged here but he also strode the world stage.

"So I also welcome those from around the world who join us on television or social media platforms to pay tribute to a son of this city.

"Many of you would have wished to be here in person.

"But that is not possible for reasons far beyond our control.

"And I want especially to acknowledge the many thousands of people from this city and from around the island who would have wanted to show publicly their esteem for John and their gratitude for what he, one of themselves, had achieved.

"Your participation today is as important for John Hume as that of the others here present."

A letter of condolence from the Vatican has been read out by Bishop McKeown, on behalf of Pope Francis.

It says the Pope is "saddened" at the death of John Hume "and sends the assurance of his prayers to his family and to all who mourn his loss".

The Pope also recognises Mr Hume's "untiring efforts to promote dialogue, reconciliation and peace among the people of Northern Ireland" and "imparts his Apostolic Blessing".

Image source, Reuters

Bishop Donal McKeown has now taken to his feet to begin the funeral Mass.

The Mass is being concelebrated at St Eugene’s Cathedral by Bishop McKeown, Fr Paul Farren and Fr Dinny McGettigan.

First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill take their seat in St Eugene's Cathedral, respecting Covid-19 social distancing requirements.

Political representatives have begun arriving at the cathedral including Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster; Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill; Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin; current SDLP leader Colum Eastwood; Alliance leader Naomi Long; and former Ulster Unionist MEP (Member of the European Parliament), Jim Nicholson.

Others expected to attend include NI Secretary Brandon Lewis, Irish President Michael D Higgins, and Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

John Hume was one of the highest-profile politicians in Northern Ireland for more than 30 years.

Watch the below montage reflecting on his life.

Mourners are beginning to arrive at St Eugene's Cathedral, including Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, who will preside at the funeral Mass, and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Simon Byrne.

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

Pat Hume speaks to mourners as they begin gathering outside St Eugene"s Cathedral ahead of the funeral of her husband John.

Image source, Niall Carson/PA Wire

Image source, Pacemaker

One of Northern Ireland's best-known singer-songwriters, Phil Coulter, has been asked to perform his song The Town I Loved So Well as John Hume's coffin leaves St Eugene's Cathedral after today's funeral Mass.

Violinist Frank Gallagher, who is the musical director for the funeral, told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that it was "one piece of music that we couldn't leave out".

"As John is leaving the cathedral today, Phil will play him out with a poignant instrumental arrangement," he said.

The late Mr Hume had often invited Phil Coulter and Frank Gallagher to perform for important international guests when he was hosting dinners in Derry and Donegal.

However, the former SDLP leader was not one to be upstaged.

"He was always the most charismatic man in the room and, throwing out a song, would always help set the tone," Mr Gallagher recalled.

"I've seen him hold absolutely everybody in the palm of his hand and Phil Coulter often did well to keep John to the third verse of The Town I Loved So Well.

"And then I would bide my time and come in near the end, once the two of them had negotiated the right key, so that was the format," he laughed.

David Wilson
BBC News NI

Image source, Stephen Lattimer

In times more ordinary, this would have been a final farewell to draw thousands to Derry’s St Eugene’s Cathedral.

An occasion to honour a statesman, to remember and to celebrate a peacemaker.

His mark is everywhere in this, John Hume’s home city.

People here know legacy stretches much further afield, a generation born post-Troubles and Good Friday Agreement rewarded for his determination to bring an end to violence.

But such is the respect bestowed on John Hume in these parts that the streets around the cathedral are largely empty.

Pat Hume, so widely regarded as the great woman behind the great man, had respectfully asked people to stay at home, the people respectfully honoured those wishes.

Those who did come stood outside the cathedral grounds, solemn and in silence.

Where in other times you may have expected politicians, prime ministers and presidents, today just about 100 mourners are expected here to pay their respects, to say goodbye.

They come to remember the man who led the way to peace, and remained one of their own, a fierce-dogged advocate for Derry.

This is the place he loved so well, a place where now he will rest in peace.

Image source, Pacemaker

John Hume's family asked members of the public to light a candle in his memory as his body returned to his home city of Derry on Tuesday night ahead of his funeral on Wednesday.

Image source, Pacemaker

The Hume family made the request as an alternative method of mourning, in a bid to stop people lining the streets during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Image source, Pacemaker

"We know he would have prioritised public health and the safety and health of our communities," the family's statement said.

Many mourners in the city and further afield followed their request, placing candles in the window or at the front door of their homes at 21:00 BST on Tuesday.

Image source, Pacemaker

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among those who joined the candlelight tribute, as a candle was placed outside No 10 Downing Street on Tuesday night.

BBC Radio Foyle's Breakfast Show closed this morning's programme with a moving montage of voices - including Hume himself - set against an instrumental version of The Town I Loved So Well.

You can listen to the audio below, if you missed it.

Image source, PA Media

Former SDLP leader Mark Durkan recalls starting to work with John Hume in 1984.

His now wife was working as a secretary in Mr Hume's office at the time.

"We used to joke with John that this ambition you have of creating new relationships, ours is the only one you can claim," he told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.

Mr Durkan said it was great to listen and read the tributes to Mr Hume, particularly as people have been unable to gather because of the coronavirus restrictions.

"The Humes, particularly Pat, know that it has been hard for so many families during Covid. John was in the care home and the family couldn't see him for so long. They know what has happened to so many other families and they don't want a difference made for them or for John.

"People heeded Pat Hume's call not to be thronging around the cathedral. So respecting the guidance is part of respecting John."