Italian authorities have issued an emergency alert to millions of mobile phone users across the Vatican and Rome following the death of Pope Francis.
The alert, sent in four languages including Italian, English, French and Spanish, warned: "Civil Protection Department - Farewell to Pope Francis - Access to St Peter's Square will close at 5pm on April 25."
The notification was distributed ahead of Saturday's funeral, which is expected to draw more than 200,000 mourners to St Peter's Square.
Officials are preparing for the massive influx of visitors as the late pontiff, who died on Monday at age 88, continues to lie in state.
The alert was issued to millions of phones across Rome and The Vatican
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Pope Francis passed away on Monday
PA
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media as he departs for Rome to attend Pope Francis's funeral
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Around 50 heads of state have confirmed their attendance at the funeral, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump and 10 reigning monarchs. Leaders from Italy, France, Germany Ukraine, Brazil, EU institutions and Francis' home nation of Argentina will also be present.
The funeral is scheduled to begin at 10am local time on Saturday, with Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re leading the ceremony. The service will be con-celebrated by 220 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests.
Francis asked to be buried in a simple zinc-lined wooden coffin, unlike his predecessors who were buried in three interlocking caskets.
Following his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, marking the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican since Leo XIII in 1903.
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The Pope will be laid to rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria MaggioreGETTYThe funeral cortege will travel at walking pace along a 5.5km route passing many of Rome's famed monuments, including the Colosseum.
A group of poor people will gather on the steps of the basilica to pay their final respects, reflecting Francis' devotion to serving the marginalised.
The burial will be a private service, though visitors will later be allowed to view the tomb inscribed simply with "Franciscus".
So many people lined up to see Pope Francis lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica that the Vatican kept the doors open all night.
Faithful queue to enter St. Peter's Basilica to pay respects as Pope Francis lies in state
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Hundreds of Catholics have flocked to the Vatican to express their tributesRETUERSRoger Yu, a gay man from the Philippines, praised the Pope as "pro-poor, pro-LGBT" and said his "legacy would be for the refugee immigrants and for the outcasts."
The papal funeral marks the first of nine days of mourning for the global Church, with another Mass to be held in St. Peter's Square on Sunday.
This second service will be led by Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is considered a leading papal contender.
In the coming days, the Vatican will announce the date for the conclave to choose Francis' successor.
The chimney above the Sistine Chapel, pictured here in 2013, will show the decision of the new pope
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This secret meeting of cardinals is unlikely to begin before May 6.
After that point, the eyes of the Catholic world will be on the chimney above the Sistine Chapel.
If the chimney blows black smoke, the cardinals have failed to reach a two-thirds majority decision for the new Pope.
If the chimney blows white smoke, a decision has been made and the new Pope will be revealed on the balcony above St Peter's Square.
Meanwhile, memorabilia related to Pope Francis has appeared on online marketplaces, with signed photos and commemorative items fetching thousands of pounds.
