Pope Francis' funeral was held today at the Vatican, marking the end of a remarkable pontificate that touched the lives of millions.

His coffin was brought to the church in Rome where he will be buried, surrounded by leaders and dignitaries from around the world, as well as an estimated 250,000 mourners. Of those, 50,000 gathered inside St Peter's Square to pay their respects to the late pontiff.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who led the service, paid tribute to Pope Francis, describing him as a man who "touched minds and hearts" and strove to "build bridges, not walls." The sentiment echoed the Pope’s lifelong mission of peace and unity, both within the Catholic Church and the broader global community.

Among the mourners were several prominent political figures, including former US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince William. The presence of these figures underscored the worldwide respect for Pope Francis and the significant influence he had during his tenure.

Before the funeral service, Trump and Zelensky met privately inside St Peter's Basilica for a brief, yet "very productive" conversation, according to the White House. The two leaders are expected to meet again later today to continue their discussions.

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Additionally, a photograph released by the Ukrainian officials showed Trump and Zelensky speaking with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, further emphasising the global importance of the event.

For viewers in the UK, the funeral service and related coverage can be streamed on BBC One and iPlayer, with live commentary available on the BBC World Service.

Pope Francis' passing marks the end of a pivotal era for the Catholic Church, and his funeral has become a poignant moment for people of all faiths to reflect on his contributions to global peace, humanitarian work, and the Church itself.

Source: With inputs from BBC