World leaders head to Rome for Pope's funeral

WORLD leaders are arriving for the funeral of Pope Francis, as the last mourners joined the still-lengthy queue to see the late pontiff's remains before his coffin is closed.

- AINE FOX

Some 150,000 people have passed by Francis's coffin as he lay in state over the past three days in St Peter's Basilica.

Irish President Michael D Higgins was among those to pay his respects yesterday, ahead of his attendance at today's requiem mass.

He will join his nation's premier Micheal Martin, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the Prince of Wales - who is attending on behalf of the King - US President Donald Trump and a vast array of other leaders and dignitaries.

The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has predicted the funeral will be a "masterpiece" in stage-managing "big egos".

A Vatican spokesperson has confirmed Francis's birth country of Argentina, then Italy will take precedence.

Thereafter, reigning sovereigns will be seated "in alphabetical order, but in French language", followed by heads of state.