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WORLD leaders are flocking to Rome for Pope Francis’s historic send off on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump is set to lead fellow elite as he will soon board Air Force One after a press briefing.
Trump will not get a front-row seat and will be sat far away from Volodymyr Zelensky at Pope Francis’ funeral, according to the Vatican protocol.
Italy is deploying a ring of steel around the Vatican City to help protect crowds of up to 200,000 and the almost 200 high-profile foreign visitors.
This includes President Trump and his wife, Melania and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who announced they would attend the Pope’s funeral.
No10 said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will also attend the funeral, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Prince William will also be in attendance at the Pope’s funeral on behalf of the King, Kensington Palace announced.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have paid tribute to the Pope in a touching statement.
Today is the final day for mourners to pay their respects to the pontiff before his funeral tomorrow, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to be in attendance.
Pallbearers carried Francis’ body into Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Wednesday for the solemn three-day ritual.
The coffin closing ceremony will take place at 7pm UK time before the funeral on Saturday.
On the first day of the ritual, around 20,000 paid respects – with pilgrims draping blue and white football shirts in honour of the Argentine pontiff.
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Who will be the next Pope?
Following the death of Pope Francis on the morning of Easter Monday, attention turns to the question of his successor.
Francis led the Catholic church for 12 years, right up until his death at 88 – as is tradition.
After the nine days of mourning have been observed – during which time Francis will be buried – the papal conclave will begin in order to select a successor.
All 252 cardinals from around the world will travel to Rome for the secret ballot, in which a maximum of 115 can vote.
When a candidate has two-thirds of the vote, they will be appointed Pope through a pontifical coronation.
Here are some of the front-runners:
- Cardinal Luis Tagle
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin
- Cardinal Wim Ejik
- Cardinal Raymond Burke
- Cardinal Peter Erdo
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
- Cardinal Mario Grech
Pope Francis I Papal audience at the altar, Vatican City, Rome, in 2015Credit: Rex -
Map: Italy’s ring of steel
Italy is deploying a ring of steel around the Vatican City to help protect crowds of up to 200,000 and the almost 200 high-profile foreign visitors.
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Tight security measures in place for VIP funeral attendees
A stealth military unit based out of Italy is leading the seismic task and is set to use anti-drone technology, sniper rifles, jets and even warships to protect the world’s elite.
Specialist troops encircling St Peter’s Square today were seen toting space-age “drone bazookas” capable of disabling terrorist craft with a blast of radio waves.
The powerful guns send threatening drones haywire, forcing them to either land vertically or return to their controller.
Security chiefs believe drones pose the biggest threat to Saturday morning’s funeral pageant.
One of the drone specialists – called Giovanni – told The Sun yesterday: “My device can disable and bring down a zone once I have it in my sights.
“The technology is very effective and enables us to bring drones under control and reduce the threat. We realise we have an important job to do.”
Sharpshooters with high-powered rifles were also seen positioned on rooftops overlooking St Peter’s Square.
Nato AWACS surveillance jets will also help secure the skies as well as sophisticated anti-drone jamming stations.
Swiss guards stand at Arco delle Campane on the day of the translation of Pope Francis’ coffinCredit: Rex
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Seating plan details for Pope’s funeral
While the Vatican has not released any official details on the seating yet, previous papal funerals give us a glimpse of what the seating arrangement would look like.
Powerful archbishops, bishops and cardinals – known as the “princes” of the Catholic church – will be given the best seats at the spectacular event.
While the members of Catholic royalty will take the front seats.
Non-catholic royals – including the Prince of Wales, King and Queen of Sweden and Crown Prince – would come next, taking on the second row seats.
A huge number of mourners will be arriving along with foreign dignitaries, royals and some of the world’s most influential figures.
