Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, was known for his outreach to the poor and those in poverty and that will be reflected in his minimalist burial at Saint Mary Major. He is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century and the first to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in more than 300 years.

Former US president Joe Biden is among those attending the funeral which begins at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST) in front of St Peter's Basilica.