Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday, Prof Yunus to attend

VATICAN CITY, April 22 (Agencies): Pope Francis' funeral will be held on Saturday in St. Peter's Square, Roman Catholic cardinals decided on Tuesday, setting the stage for a solemn ceremony that will draw leaders from around the world.

Francis, 88, died on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, ending an often turbulent reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised.

The pontiff spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year suffering from double pneumonia and had appeared to be slowly recovering, but the Vatican on Tuesday recounted his last moments, saying death came quickly and he had not suffered.

Meanwhile a report from Doha adds, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will attend Pope Francis' funeral, his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.

Earlier, on Monday, Prof Yunus expressed profound condolences on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh at the passing of Pope Francis, describing him as a beacon of peace, humanity and unity.

Pope Francis will be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St. Peter's Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history's first Latin American pontiff.