The news that the Vatican is to hold the funeral of Pope John Paul II on Friday has left Tony Blair with a problem: whether he should fly to Rome to attend, only three days after calling a general election, and whether he should try to get back home in time for the Royal wedding.
Mr Blair's spokesman did, however, leave reporters in no doubt which ceremony he would prioritise when he briefed them this morning. "All I can say is I think the prime minister spelt out his view of the Pope's life and his huge contribution to the world in the statement that was issued on Saturday night and the words he spoke himself yesterday," he told them. "That reflects the significance that the prime minister gives to the Pope's death."
Downing Street did, however, confirm that the prime minister of the day had not attended the previous two papal funerals.
