Pope's funeral to unite divided world

HE WILL BECOME THE FIRST PONTIFF IN MORE THAN 100 YEARS TO BE BURIED OUTSIDE THE VATICAN

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Pope Francis's funeral, set for Saturday, is expected to draw huge crowds in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Francis's coffin — which he previously ordered should be of wood and zinc — will then be taken inside the church and from there to the Rome basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial.

The date was set by the first so-called “general congregation” of cardinals yesterday morning, which kicked off a centuries-old process that culminates in the election of a new pontiff within three weeks.

First images

Earlier, the Vatican published the first images of the pontiff in his open coffin, ahead of its transfer to St Peter’s Basilica today at 0700 GMT, to lie in state.