Colombo, April 25 -- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath will represent the Government of Sri Lanka at His Holiness Pope Francis' funeral, which will be held on Saturday (April 26) in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City.

Francis, who died of a stroke on Easter Monday at 88 years old after a weeks-long health battle, has been lying in state since Wednesday in St. Peter's Basilica, the papal enclave in Rome. Tens of thousands of faithful gathered in the streets leading into the church to view him dressed in traditional garb and resting in a simple, wooden coffin.

The public will have until the weekend to say their goodbyes before the Saturday services, which will be attended by international world lea...