Pope Francis funeral live updates: St Peters Basilica prepares for mass as head of Catholic Church set to be laid to rest
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4.19pm
Eyes of the world on the Vatican
By Rob Harris
Vatican City: Hello from my spot near St Peter's Basilica, where the eyes of the world are fixed on the Eternal City as the Catholic Church prepares to bury one of its most influential and beloved leaders.
Despite the early hour, thousands are already descending on the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, who died earlier this week at the age of 88.
With all the streets blocked off nearby, we had to walk through the dark laneway to get into position.
Thousands of people are streaming past us now to get the best viewing position possible. For days now St Peter's Square has been heaving.
Over the past three, more than 250,000 mourners have filed quietly through the basilica to pay their respects as Francis lay in state. Some wept, others prayed silently. I was lucky enough to be one of them (link here)
The funeral on Saturday will begin at 10am local time and will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. It will mark the first of nine Masses in the traditional Novemdiales, a nine-day mourning period prescribed for the burial of a Roman Pontiff.
4.17pm
Race for spots in St Peter's Square
Ordinary mourners streamed into St Peter's Square on Saturday to get a standing-room spot near the rear of the square surrounding the ancient obelisk, behind VIP seating.
The area to the left of the main altar, up the basilica steps, is reserved for celebrants and Catholic hierarchy while world leaders and royalty will be seated on the right.
Many ran toward the square as barricades opened. Some carried banners for the Jubilee Holy Year that Francis opened in December and will continue despite his death on Easter Monday following a stroke.
4.12pm
Mourners gather from around the world for Pope's funeral
Mourners have been streaming into St Peter's Square ahead of the funeral for Pope Francis today.
We will bring you live updates from the funeral in the St Peters Square in the Vatican and procession to his final resting place in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome.
The funeral mass begins at 10am local time, which is 6pm Australian eastern.
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