John Swinney to attend Pope's funeral

John Swinney has confirmed that he will represent Scotland at the funeral of Pope Francis.

The First Minister will travel to Rome on Friday before attending the funeral on Saturday.

Several world leaders and royals will attend the funeral, including the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“His Holiness Pope Francis was a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation who had a natural ability to connect with people of all ages, nationalities and beliefs,” Swinney said.

“On behalf of the people of Scotland, I am deeply honoured to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome to express my sorrow, thanks and deep respect for the compassion, assurance and hope that he brought to so many.”

The 88-year-old Pope died on Easter Monday following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.

His death came after his five-week hospital stay in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, following a 38-day struggle with pneumonia in March.

Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936, ushered in a new era of leadership in the Roman Catholic Church when he was elected Pope in 2013.

The Pontiff’s body has been on display for the public to pay their respects in St Peter’s Basilica since Wednesday morning.

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis’ coffin will be sealed during a liturgical rite held in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday at 8pm ahead of his funeral at 10am on Saturday, celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals.

Following the funeral, Francis will be interred at the Basilica of St Mary Major, in accordance with his wishes.

The funeral procession will mark the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the late Pope’s soul.

Swinney will travel to Rome from Scotland on Friday and return to Scotland on Saturday.