Dhaka, April 23 -- Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will travel directly from Doha to Rome, Italy, to attend the funeral of Roman Catholic pontiff Pope Francis.

"The Chief Adviser will leave Doha for Rome next Friday," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told agencies.

Prof Yunus is now on a four-day official visit to Qatar.

Prof Yunus's personal relations with Pope Francis were excellent, Alam said; the Chief Adviser will attend the Pope's funeral to pay his last respects to his friend.

The press secretary said the chief adviser has no other meeting there apart from joining the funeral.

Prof Yunus is likely to return to the country on Sunday next, he said.

The funeral of Pope Francis, whose death prompted an outpour...