Over 250 thousand attended the funeral: Pope Francis lies in Rome's Basilica after Vatican burial ceremony

More than 250,000 believers, religious and political figures lined up at St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Saturday to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis, who died earlier this week at the age of 88.

The service began in St. Peter's Basilica shortly after 10am local time, taking just over two hours, writes CNN, broadcasts Periscope.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, one of the highest figures in the Catholic Church, conducted the simplified ceremony in a series of religious hymn rituals, an emotional sermon, and a recent farewell to the Pope, who was the first pope of Latin America.

Francescu's modest coffin was later transported in the white car over the Tiber River to be buried in Rome's Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore a lighted Basilica located at the top of the highest point in the Italian capital.

Here's how it went.

• Meeting of participants and world leaders: The Pope's funeral was one of the largest meetings of world leaders in recent years. A total of 130 delegations were present, including presidents and monarchs in power. Argentinian President Javier Mile, Britain's Prince William, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyeen, US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky were among the highest profile guests.

• Trump and Zelensky meeting: US and Ukrainian leaders met a few minutes before the start of the funeral Saturday, speaking face - to - face in two chairs that were placed within St. Peter's Basilica. A spokesman for the White House accompanying Trump said the two leaders “had a very productive discussion”. A Zelensky spokesman said the meeting lasted about 15 minutes, and leaders agreed to continue talks.

• High security: Authorities in Rome stepped up security measures before the service, placing more than 2,000 specialised police officers and forces. 400 other traffic officers were on the shift, the city police department told CNN.

• People's face: 91-year-old Re praised the late pope's highly sensitive “leadership” in a touching sermon read on the footsteps of St. Peter's Basilica. “Facing the violent wars of recent years, with their inhuman horrors and countless deaths and destructions, Pope Francisescu repeatedly lifted his voice, demanding peace”, Re said. The late pope has persistently defended communities in war-torn regions until his last days, including Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan.

• New believers pay respects: A series of participants, including young and pilgrim currents from Indonesia, the United States, Philippines, and France, gathered at St. Peter's Square during the night, a testament to Pope Francis's broad call. Some of his most liberal supporters believe he was not sufficiently reformist, but others say he has carved a progressive legacy after him, having transformed the Catholic Church for 1.4 billion followers.