The Latest Breaking News from Rome

As cardinals gather in Rome for the start next week of the conclave, where they will vote for the successor to Pope Francis, two longtime papal tailors are also pondering the transition.

The conclave to elect the new pope begins on 7 May, and while there are no official candidates for the post, these are the cardinals considered to be leading the race.

Following the death of 88-year-old Pope Francis on Easter Monday, several cardinals who were already in Rome, or who traveled only short distances to arrive, held the first of several meetings – general congregations – to discuss preparations for the papal funeral and the election to follow.

Mourners gather at the Vatican to honour pontiff in an emotional farewell filled with prayer and reflection.

The modest tomb draws huge queues on the first day of public viewing a day after tens of thousands attended his funeral.

Followers of the Catholic church are queuing up to visit the Pope's final resting place

People lined up from the early hours of Sunday to bid farewell to Pope Francis in front of his tomb in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

Roman Catholic faithful have begun visiting the tomb of Pope Francis

The president met with his Ukrainian counterpart and parted ways with the First Lady after a 14-trip to Rome