THE Vatican has announced the date for the funeral of Pope Francis.
The pope died on Monday morning after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
John Swinney led tributes to the pope in Scotland, describing Francis as "a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation".
Francis was also remembered for his "outspoken commitment" to peace in Gaza, after he used his last speech to reiterate calls for a ceasefire.
On Tuesday, cardinals met in Rome for the first time since the pope died to confirm the details of his funeral.
The funeral will take place on Saturday at 9am UK time.
As is tradition, the funeral must be held between four and six days after the death of the pope.
After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the "novendiali".
Cardinals also confirmed that the pope's body will be moved to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday to allow the public to pay their respects before the burial.
Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni said the transfer to St Peter’s Basilica could happen as early as Wednesday morning.
His death starts a centuries-old ritual, where first the camerlengo, Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, certifies Pope Francis’s death and seals the papal apartment.
Cardinal Farrell will carry out the administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over.
Before the cardinals, senior members of the Catholic Church, convene in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave – the secret meeting at which a new pope will be elected – the Church enters a period called “sede vacante”, or “the vacant See”.
To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15 to 20 days after the sede vacante is declared, but it can start sooner if the cardinals agree.
