Leaders from across the globe are expected to attend the funeral of Pope Francis today (Saturday) as the world mourns and pays tribute to the widely-respected religious figurehead. Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff to lead the Holy See, will be honoured with a huge ceremony in St Peter's Square, in front of St Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican.

The cardinals are gathering in Vatican City, preparing for Pope Francis' funeral and the papal conclave that will follow.

Pope Francis regularly called a church in Gaza to ask how residents there were doing during the Israel-Hamas war. He is remembered as a defender and consoling presence.

In Jerusalem, mourners gathered at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to remember Pope Francis, who championed peace across the Middle East. Local clergy say he called Gaza’s only Catholic parish daily,