The Pope's body at St Peter's. Twenty thousand faithful visiting, everything ready for the opening beyond midnight

At the funeral of Pope Francis, Israel will be represented only by its ambassador to the Vatican. The Times of Israel reports this. Diplomatic sources point out that the decision is a sign of how relations between Israel and the Vatican have deteriorated since the start of the war with Hamas in Gaza in 2023. As the Israeli government's order to delete an official social media post expressing condolences for Bergoglio's death has already shown.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in St Peter's Basilica to pay homage to the body of Pope Francis.

Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova will represent Russia at the funeral of Pope Francis. The decision was made by President Vladimir Putin, according to the Ria Novosti news agency.

He was the pope 'of the last', 'of the physical and existential peripheries', 'he gave back a voice to those who did not have it also by breaking the mould because he said "you must not be afraid to go against the tide if you have to do a good thing". Thus, the pope who came from afar entered people's hearts'. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said this during the commemoration of Pope Francis.

La presidente del Consiglio Giorgia Meloni, il ministro degli Esteri Antonio Tajani (sx) e il ministro delle Infrastrutture Matteo Salvini (dx) nell’ aula della Camera dei deputati durante la commemorazione di Papa Francesco, Roma, Mercoledì, 23 Aprile 2025 (Foto Roberto Monaldo / LaPresse) Prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Foreign minister Antonio Tajani (left) and Infrastructure minister Matteo Salvini (right) in the Chamber of deputies during the commemoration of Pope Francis, Rome, Wednesday Apr. 23, 2025 (Photo by Roberto Monaldo / LaPresse)

Pope Francis "used to say that diplomacy is an exercise in humility, because it requires sacrificing some of one's self-love in order to understand the other person's reasons and point of view. A teaching that we intend to cultivate'. This was said by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking at the commemoration of Pope Francis in the assembled chambers.

Pope Francis 'knew how to be determined, but when you spoke with him there were no barriers, he did not create barriers. With him you were at ease, you could talk about anything, and tell yourself without filters and without fear of being judged. He could see your soul and look at you bare. As if for him it meant 'I am there for you'. He made you feel precious as unique and unrepeatable'. So said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking at the Chamber of Deputies.

"We have been" invited "by the presidents of the House and Senate to commemorate His Holiness Pope Francis and we will stick to this. There are many moments for political debate and to talk about the many hypocrisies that have also accompanied the mission on earth of Pope Francis", who, as Tajani said, "was truly everyone's pope". This was said by Maurizio Gasparri (FI) during the commemoration of Pope Francis. Gasparri emphasised the themes of the "family and life" addressed "with such courage", the issue of abortion, part of that "culture of waste". "Strong his expressions on peace", "he has been uhn pope hailed on some issues and obscured on others. Someone' today 'has used the word hypocrisy, the hypocrisies have been many, even of those who always cite him and have never followed the path of faith'.

"Very funny that each of us to some extent tries to grab a little bit of the legacy" of Pope Francis, "those who remember him for prisons forget his words on abortion, those who remember him for the traditional family forget his words on immigration. He was not a politician, he was the pope, he was Peter'. Thus Iv leader Matteo Renzi during the commemoration of Pope Francis. From him came a 'great lesson in secularism', he remarked. And then he recounted that he had met him as prime minister several times and also 'just before Parliament voted on the law on civil unions', while there was great controversy in the Catholic world and 'Pope Francis never said anything to me', 'he respected our ideas much more than we respect his'. Renzi then spoke of the behaviour of 'Pharisees': 'crying and being moved by the pope and not remembering the cry of pain he left us on the migrant camps'.

"Now that he is gone, Pope Francis is universally celebrated by all. In the disarrayed theatre of the hypocrisy of vainiloquy, the celebrations also involve those who continued to ignore his messages of sorrow for the injustices in the world, his warnings against hate speech and the logic of war". This was said by M5s leader Giuseppe Conte, speaking at the commemoration of Pope Francis, in assembled Chambers. "The best way to remember Pope Francis," he added, "is not to let his teachings, his personal testimony, fall into the void. The best way to honour him is to be uncomfortable, with firm actions and consequent choices".

"The passing away of Pope Francis deprives us of a significant voice that was able to question believers and non-believers alike, he deserves our condolences; what he does not deserve is the hypocrisy of those who never listened to his appeals and today seek to bury his powerful message in rhetoric, of those who deport migrants, take money away from the poor, deny the climate emergency and deny treatment to those who cannot afford it". This was said by PD secretary Elly Schlein at the commemoration of Pope Francis in Montecitorio. The majority MPs did not applaud Elly Schlein's speech in remembrance of Pope Francis.

"Remembering Pope Francis is not easy, because he was not a simple pope, he did not want to be and he showed this from the beginning by choosing the name of Francis" the "poor man of Assisi", as pontiff "he never gave up saying what he thought". This was said by FdI group leader in the Chamber of Deputies Galeazzo Bignami during the commemoration at the Chamber. Bignami remarked that those who tried to interpret his words as more progressive or more conservative were wrong, because "the Pope is not of one side, he does not follow political schemes", Francis "has always addressed his people, without shirking confrontation with those who had different opinions". "His hallmark was simplicity and unconditional love for his people".

"In consideration of the large number of faithful who wish to pay homage to the Holy Father, the possibility of extending the opening of the Vatican Basilica beyond the established time of midnight is not excluded". This was reported by the Vatican Press Office.

"House and Senate are gathered here today to pay tribute to a Pontiff whom we have loved and admired for the tireless strength and energy with which he fought for justice, peace and fraternity between peoples and nations. In these years of Pontificate, the depth of His message of faith and hope has been able to touch the deepest chords of our hearts. And even in these last weeks, despite the fact that illness had severely debilitated him, Pope Francis never ceased to make his voice heard so that conflicts, divisions and wars might be overcome". This was said by Ignazio La Russa, President of the Senate, speaking in the Chamber for the commemoration of Pope Francis.

"On Monday 21 April, His Holiness Pope Francis passed away. Of Italian origin, he was elected to the papal throne on 13 March 2013. He was the first Pope from the American continent, the first to be called Francis. The choice of that name immediately made clear the attention he would have for the least, for the sick and those who suffer. He wanted to walk alongside everyone, without excluding anyone. His magisterium, founded on solidarity and the defence of human dignity, was an example of closeness to the faithful and commitment to the elderly and the weakest. His passing leaves a deep void for Catholics and for the entire international community'. This was said by Chamber of Deputies Speaker Lorenzo Fontana opening the commemoration for Pope Francis in the Chamber of Montecitorio. "Religious and secular, believers and non-believers alike come together in the memory of a man who carried out his mission with a spirit of sacrifice and Christian self-sacrifice. Until his last moment, he never abandoned those who relied on his support. Even in his increasingly fragile health, on Easter Day he had the strength to impart the urbi et orbi blessing and to symbolically embrace for the last time the faithful present in St Peter's Square. "My people are poor and I am one of them," he said one day, explaining his decision to live in a simple flat outside the Apostolic Palace.

Vice President JD Vance will not attend the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, 26 April, at the Vatican. His absence was confirmed by a White House official, but no official reason was given. The decision comes as Vance, who met briefly with the Pope the day before his death, is in India.

The president of the Jewish Community of Rome, Victor Fadlun, will attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday morning, in accordance with Shabbat rules.

Rome, 23 April (Adnkronos) - Party leaders, group leaders, but also some 'simple' deputies among those registered to speak in the Chamber for the commemoration of Pope Francis of the assembled Chambers scheduled for 4pm. The list includes, in order, Galeazzo Bignami (FdI), Elly Schlein (Pd), Simonetta Matone (Lega), Giuseppe Conte (M5s), Maurizio Gasparri (FI), Maurizio Lupi (Nm), Matteo Renzi Matteo (Iv), Luana Zanella (AVS), Elena Bonetti (Az), Luigi Spagnolli (Autonomie), Dieter Steger (Minoranze linguistiche), Benedetto Della Vedova (+Eu).

"I don't know anything about Netanyahu, I don't know if he wrote or didn't write, I hope he does and that he did. What I do know from direct knowledge is that the Italian Jewish community has not only made the formal act of paying its respects, but is very close to mourning. I have personally received messages from the head of the Jewish community in Milan and from senior members of the Jewish community in Rome. Even messages of condolences as if I were one to whom they could be addressed, but they are certainly messages of great closeness to Italian condolences. Every reading contrasts with this closeness that the Jewish community is demonstrating minute by minute'. This was said by the President of Palazzo Madama, Ignazio La Russa, speaking to reporters in the Senate, regarding the Pope's funeral.

In observance of Shabbat, Riccardo Di Segni, Chief Rabbi of Rome, will attend the funeral of Pope Francis scheduled for Saturday, 26 April.

The FS Group has drawn up an extraordinary plan to strengthen transport services to Rome following the death of the Holy Father, from today until Sunday 27 April, in cooperation with the Civil Protection Department, which is coordinating the emergency and logistical operations required to welcome the faithful. Trenitalia has upgraded its offer: the Frecce and Intercity trains will offer an average of 110,000 seats a day, while Regionale will provide more connections to St. Peter's station from Roma Termini, Ostiense, Tiburtina, Tuscolana and Fiera di Roma, for a total of 150,000 seats a day in the Rome Node. Additional charter trains will also be available for pilgrims. Trenitalia has provided 300 extra staff in all the garrisons to guarantee greater assistance to passengers and prompt intervention in case of need. In addition, those travelling with Frecce and Intercity trains to and from the capital - both individually and in groups - from today until 27 April will be able to take advantage of a 40% discount on the basic price by using the code 'Roma' when purchasing their ticket

Local police task force for the death of Pope Francis. Surveillance plan launched with hundreds of patrols around St. Peter's. More than 2000 agents are expected to be deployed on Friday and Saturday. On Monday morning, the strengthened plan of vigilance services by the local police of Roma Capitale was launched. Hundreds of agents are currently engaged in traffic and urban security services in the St. Peter's area, as well as support for the needs of the influx of the faithful, also in cooperation with other police forces, to which are added additional units, in civilian clothes, to combat illegal phenomena and squatting.

Israel's ambassador to the Holy See, Yaron Zeidman, has ''plans to attend'' Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican on Saturday. This was confirmed to Adnkronos by the Israeli embassy to the Holy See.

Next Friday, 25 April, at 8pm in St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of the closing of Pope Francis' coffin. This will be announced by the Master of Liturgical Celebrations, Msgr. Diego Ravelli.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will take part in the commemoration of Pope Francis at 4pm in Montecitorio in the assembled chambers. This was reported by the government website

There were about 20,000 faithful in St. Peter's Square for the rite of the transfer of the Pope's body. This is the estimate of the gendarmerie reported by the Vatican press room

The first faithful are beginning to enter the basilica after hours of waiting for the final farewell to Pope Francis. After the translation from Casa Santa Marta and the homage of cardinals and prelates and members of the papal family, it is time, at last, for the people of the faithful.

There is already a long crowd lined up in St Peter's Square, sheltering from the sun with parasols, waiting for the entrance to St Peter's Basilica to open at 11am for the people's homage to the body of Pope Francis. They are the faithful, pilgrims, religious, tourists, and a few prelates

The rite of the transfer of the Pope's body to St. Peter's Basilica came to a close. After the prayer for the dead, the Eternal Rest, the final hymn was dedicated to Our Lady: the Salve Regina.

It is the liturgy of the Word at the centre of the rite of translation, in addition to prayers of intercession and the singing of psalms. A passage from the Gospel of John is read.

No catafalque. As Francis requested. The Pope's open coffin, placed on the ground on a simple platform, was brought to the altar of the Cathedra in St Peter's Basilica where it will be exposed to the homage of the faithful for three days

Pope Francis' coffin is entering St. Peter's Basilica accompanied by the applause of pilgrims and faithful present in the square

The Pope is carried from Casa Santa Marta to the basilica, passing through St Peter's Square, on the open coffin carried by the sedarians. These were the people who used to carry the Pope in the gestatorial chair in the past. For decades, i.e. since the time of John Paul I, they have carried the Pope in practice only on the occasion of his death, and for the rest they are assigned to other tasks

The bells toll in St. Peter's Square and the antiphon from Psalm 22, sung in Latin, accompanies the procession, in the rite of the transfer of the Pope's body, from Casa Santa Marta to the Square

The rite of translation of the Pope's body has begun. The ceremony began in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta with a prayer recited by the Camerlengo, Card. Kevin Farrell. Then there will be the procession to St. Peter's Square and then to the basilica, where the homage of the faithful will begin at 11am.

"Right now we are moving in two areas: that of certain dates and presumed dates. The former linked to the funeral of His Holiness, the latter to the arrival of his successor. But one thing is certain: there will be at least 200,000 people at the funeral and we expect another 250,000 for the election of the new Pope," said Fabio Ciciliano, head of the Civil Protection Department, in an interview with Corriere della Sera. "We are analysing the flows of the faithful arriving in Italy and in Rome - on the roads, on trains, by plane and by ship - with particular attention to arrivals from South America, especially from Argentina. We monitor the number of people moving into our country in order to adapt the reception and management measures by our Operating Committee,' Ciciliano added.

Many teenagers, even very young ones, are pouring into St Peter's Square to witness the translation of the body of Pope Francis. Many were here on the occasion of the Jubilee of Teenagers. There were many words of affection for the Holy Father, united by a common thought: 'Saint now'.

Elia and Davide, 13 and 14 years old, come from Como: 'We came to see him but we learned that he had died ten minutes before arriving in Rome, by train. An important loss. A saint right away? It would be nice'. Many foreigners, including Victor from Colombia: 'He was a saint, a great one. We greeted the news with sadness, a great man is leaving. He must be a saint because of his humility. We hope that the new Pope will continue in his style, God give us a Pope who has his same spirit'.

The influx of faithful and tourists taking their places in St. Peter's Square to witness the translation of the body of Pope Francis begins. The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. The procession will pass through Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani, from the Arch of the Bells, exit St. Peter's Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door. Inside the Basilica, the Chamberlain will celebrate the Liturgy of the Word at the Altar of Confession. St Peter's Basilica will remain open for those who wish to greet the Holy Father today from 11am to midnight, Thursday 24 April from 7am to midnight, Friday 25 April from 7am to 7pm.

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the funeral of Pope Francis scheduled for Saturday at St. Peter's. This is the estimate that emerged during the National Committee for Order and Security, chaired by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. According to information, about a hundred delegations of foreign government representatives are expected to arrive. Most of the authorities are expected to arrive in Rome on Saturday and leave the same day

Tourists and pilgrims begin to fill St Peter's Square, where this morning the coffin with the remains of the Pope will be carried in procession from Santa Marta. Among them some school groups on a trip and a group of elderly people from Lecce. Many journalists from the major international newspapers were busy reporting on the event. Police, Civil Defence and medical personnel guard the square.

The body of Pope Francis will be moved this morning from Casa Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica for the homage of the faithful. Three days of prayers, with extraordinary opening hours, to allow all those who wish to pay their last respects to the Argentine Pope