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John Swinney to attend Pope's funeral in Rome

Getty Images Pope in red and white papal robes lying in an open coffin in front of an altar as cardinals, also in red and white robes and skull caps file past.Getty Images
The Pope has been lying in state in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican

First Minister John Swinney will travel to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.

He will be at the ceremony on Saturday along with heads of state from around the world.

Swinney said he was "deeply honoured" to be able to express his "sorrow, thanks and deep respect" to the Pope.

Thousands of people have been queuing to see Pope Francis lying in state in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

The Pope's body is being displayed in an open coffin.

Entry to the church in Vatican City was due to stop at midnight local time (22:00 GMT on Wednesday), but opening hours were extended to accommodate the large crowds gathered outside.

Getty Images John Swinney, who has a bald head and glasses, during an interview. He is wearing a shirt, tie and jacketGetty Images
John Swinney said he was "deeply honoured" to be attending the Pope's funeral

The first minister will travel to Rome on Friday.

He said: "His Holiness Pope Francis was a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation who had a natural ability to connect with people of all ages, nationalities and beliefs.

"On behalf of the people of Scotland, I am deeply honoured to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome to express my sorrow, thanks and deep respect for the compassion, assurance and hope that he brought to so many."

On Monday, Swinney praised the pontiff's work during his 12-year tenure saying: "He was a man who was always on the side of the poor.

"He was always on the side of those who faced injustice.

"He used his position of leadership of the Catholic community around the world to work for a better world, and we're all profoundly grateful for his life."

The Argentine pontiff died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke.

He had spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year receiving treatment for double pneumonia.

Government representatives have been invited to attend the funeral at the invitation of the Holy See - the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City.

A close-up of Bishop John Keenan who is in a church. He has short, grey hair and is wearing a white dog collar and a silver necklace.
John Keenan, bishop of the Diocese of Paisley, who is also attending the funeral, met the Pope several times

Bishop John Keenan, of the Paisley Diocese, will be representing the Bishops' Conference of Scotland (BCOS) at the funeral.

He met the Pope several times, once presenting him with a bottle of malt whisky in his office in the Vatican.

"Any time I met him he asked about the people of Scotland," he told BBC Scotland News earlier this week.

A Requiem Mass will be held at Edinburgh Cathedral on Monday.