Pope funeral LIVE: Trump boards Air Force One as he leads world elite flocking to Rome for Francis’ historic send-off

Joe Biden set to attend Pope's funeral

Former US president Joe Biden is set to be in attendance at Pope Francis' funeral along with former first lady Jill Biden, his office has announced.

Biden, a devout Catholic, was known to be good friends with the Pope during his presidency.

He even kept a picture of Francis in the Oval Office.

Mr and Mrs Biden will travel independently to Rome.

A look at Pope Francis' first day as leader of the Catholic church

The Pope first started his all-important role back in March 2013 - meaning he served the Catholic church for over a decade.

Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th pontiff as he changed his name to Francis when he accepted his position.

In pictures: Trump boards Air Force One for Rome

In pictures: Trump and Melania board Marine One as they head to the airport

In pictures: Trump and Melania get ready to leave Washington

Trump ready to leave Washington for Vatican

Marine One has arrived on the South Lawn of the White House ready to take President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to the Vatican ahead of the Pope's funeral.

REAL reason Prince William is going to the Pope’s funeral

A royal expert has revealed the real reason Prince William is going to the Pope's funeral and not King Charles.

King Charles and Queen Camilla had met the Pope just 12 days before he died, during a state visit to the Vatican.

But the monarch will not be attending the pontiff's funeral this weekend.

However, it is not unusual for the heir rather than the monarch to attend funerals as the then-Prince Charles led the UK delegation to Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005.

Royal expert Hugo Vickers confirmed this when he spoke to Matt Wilkinson on our Royal Exclusive show.

He said: "Well that's all protocol. I mean the Pope didn't come to the Queen's funeral as you remember and actually Prince Charles went to the last, not Pope Benedict, Pope John Paul II's funeral.

"It's absolutely correct that it would be the Prince of Wales who goes. so I'm not at all surprised.

"The King doesn't go to those sort of funerals."

What was the Pope's cause of death?

The leader of the Catholic Church, 88, died from a cerebral stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican revealed 12 hours after his passing was announced.

Pope Francis had been hospitalised for weeks at the Gemelli hospital in Rome earlier this year after suffering a bout of bronchitis and double pneumonia.

He was discharged on March 23 after the 38-day stay and was able to bless crowds of worshippers on Easter Sunday.

But just hours later, Vatican officials announced the leader of the Catholic Church had passed away.

The cerebral stroke led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, a death certificate released by the Vatican said, 12 hours after the pope's death was announced.

Map: Pope's funeral route

Pope's funeral to be 'masterpiece' in managing 'big egos,' says UK cardinal

The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has said that Pope Francis's funeral is to be a "masterpiece" in managing "big egos".

The Archbishop of Westminster said the funeral will be “without a doubt another masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance”.

He added: “In the past, I’ve seen it here over and over again that the combination of Rome and the Holy See, they actually are geniuses at dealing with these big events.

“I think they’ve been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome – that they know how to deal with big egos.

“And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday, will go home reasonably content.”

 Pope Francis’ emotional final words to nurse revealed

The Pope’s last words included thanks to his nurse for encouraging him to greet the crowds in St Peter’s Square one last time, the Vatican said.

And the ailing pontiff asked the medic “Do you think I can manage it?” before Easter Sunday’s Popemobile ride.

He had told personal nurse Massimiliano Strappetti “Thank you for bringing me back to the square” just hours before he died on Monday morning, aged 88.

Pope's funeral to feature prayer in Chinese

One language will be used to remember Pope Francis that has never been heard at a papal funeral - Chinese.

The 87-page order of service that has been released by the Vatican indicates the Mass could last for over two hours.

But four lines from the Prayer of the Faithful are set to make history.

It reads: "For us gathered here, that having celebrated the sacred mysteries, we may one day be called by Christ to enter his glorious kingdom."

The words will be read aloud in Mandarin following the homily.

The use of the language looks to reflect the late Pope's long extended hand to China.

Pictures: Pope Francis placed in Saint Peter's Basilica

Officials released photos of Francis laid out in red robes while clutching a rosary inside a coffin in Saint Peter’s Basilica.

The Vatican announced that St Peter's Basilica will be kept open until midnight on Thursday to allow the faithful to mourn.

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

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.

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.

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.