Rome, 26 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Around 140,000 people have gathered around St Peter's Square in the Vatican for Pope Francis' funeral, Italian news agency ANSA said on Saturday.

The funeral service at St Peter's Basilica began at 10 am (0800 GMT), with global leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in attendance.

Francis' coffin was carried from St Peter's Basilica to the square and placed in front of the altar.

Crowds spread across St Peter's Square and into neighbouring streets leading to the Vatican.

After the Mass, the pope's coffin will be brought back into St Peter's Basilica. A procession will then set off from there for the burial in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, which the pope visited frequently throughout his 12-year papacy.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to line the 6-kilometre route through central Rome - passing sights such as Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum.

Crowds have also gathered in front of the burial site, hours before Francis' coffin is expected to arrive at around 1 pm.

Photo: dpa