Pope Francis's historic funeral is taking place today in the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on April 21 and leaders from around the world, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William, have descended on the papal city.

Meanwhile thousands have gathered in the city-state to give Pope Francis a final send-off, after around 250,000 mourners came to pay their respects as over a three-day lying-in-state. US President Donald Trump, former US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Irish President Michael D. Higgins, will be in attendance.

So too will Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after doubt emerged over whether he would attend. It is the first time the heroic war leader will be in the same place as President Trump since their infamous bust-up in the Oval Office.

A seating order was published on the eve of the funeral, showing Francis’s birth country of Argentina, then Italy, take precedence.

Thereafter, leaders are seated “in alphabetical order” in French – considered the language of diplomacy.

Ireland’s delegation comes ahead of both Prince William and the British Government delegation in the official order of precedence, because it is led by head of state Mr Higgins.

Haakon, the Crown Prince of Norway, and William follow soon after in a category set aside for crown princes.

The British Government delegation includes Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, as well as Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

President Trump and his wife First Lady Melania are seated ahead of both the Irish and British delegations.

One Vatican expert has said she thinks it is “totally unpredictable” at this point as to who the next pope might be.

UK theologian Professor Anna Rowlands said: “That’s partly because the process is genuinely both secret, so it happens in private, but also because the make-up of this College of Cardinals is very different from anyone that’s been here to elect a pope before.

“It’s going to be, I think, a surprise conclave, that is totally unpredictable at this point, but I think will produce, potentially, a really interesting candidate who possibly none of us will know.”