Pope Francis dies at 88, funeral set for Saturday

Pope Francis, 88, died on Monday at the Vatican following a stroke that caused a coma and irreversible heart failure.

His funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10:00 am in front of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Argentinian President Javier Gerardo Milei, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, are expected to attend.

The Vatican has released the first images of Pope Francis in his open coffin, wearing his papal vestments.

The body of the pope is expected to be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday for the faithful to pay their respects.

The conclave that will elect the new pope is expected to take place between May 6 and 10, but can occur earlier if all cardinals are present in Rome.