How can I watch the Pope’s funeral at the Vatican on Saturday?

A funeral for Pope Francis will be held on Saturday at the Vatican, with the ceremony being covered around the world.

More than 22,000 mourners have viewed the body of the 88-year-old, who died on Easter Monday, as he lies in St Peter’s Basilica until Friday.

He has been remembered by some as the “people’s pope”, having spoken out for the poor and those in need and shunned many of the extravagances that come with papal life.

Francis died 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.

Here is a guide to what is happening on Saturday:

What time will the funeral begin?

The funeral is set to begin at 9am UK time (10am local) on Saturday.

Who is covering the service?

The funeral will be streamed live on the STV Player, which can be accessed here.

The Vatican’s YouTube channel will broadcast the funeral for the faithful around the world, and it will also air on BBC and Sky News.

Who is attending?

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.

First Minister John Swinney will also attend, having travelled to Rome on Friday.

He said: “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.

“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.”

What happens after the pope’s funeral?

Following the funeral, the “novendiali” takes place – nine days of official mourning.

The funeral marks the first day of this period, with the final day on Sunday May 4.

The Church is currently in “sede vacante”, or “the vacant see”. This happened at the moment of the Pope’s death.

Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell – the camerlengo or senior Vatican official – will carry out the administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over.

Conclave

The secret meeting of cardinals, known as the conclave, usually begins between 15 and 20 days after a pope’s death.

Although Mr Ronan said if cardinals agree, then it could begin earlier.

Following the period of mourning, May 5 seems a likely date on which it might start, he added.

Only cardinals who were aged 80 or under on the day of the Pope’s death have a vote.

While there must be a minimum of 120 cardinals – senior members of the Catholic Church – in the conclave, Mr Ronan said there are currently around 135 cardinals of voting age.

The conclave convenes in the Sistine Chapel, where there can be up to four votes each day.

There is no set time for the conclave to elect a new pope, and if it carries on for a long time it is possible for the cardinals to take a break, and have a non-voting day, Mr Ronan said.

He said: “It could conceivably go on for quite some time.”

A two thirds majority is required for a new pope to be elected.

Each time there is a vote, the ballots are then burned with black smoke from a chimney of the Sistine Chapel indicating no-one has been elected and white confirming a new pontiff.

Mr Ronan said there is expected to be a double confirmation, to avoid confusion: “As well as the white smoke I think they will also ring the bells of St Peter’s as a double check.

“These days they go to great pains to make sure that the colour of the smoke is very clear, sometimes (in the past) you have had a sort of grey colour.”

Once a new pope accepts his election, it is usual that he would appear “relatively rapidly” on the front balcony of St Peter’s Basilica which overlooks the square.

An announcement in Latin of “Habemus Papam” – meaning “we have a pope” is made alongside the new pontiff’s appearance.

The funeral of Pope Francis is available to watch live on STV Player.