Dhaka, April 22 -- Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is set to attend Pope Francis' funeral, his press aide Shafiqul Alam has said.

According to the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the interim government leader will attend the pope's funeral, which has been scheduled for Saturday, bdnews24.com reports.

Francis passed away on Monday, at the age of 88.

The Argentine pontiff took over the papacy in 2013.

He contracted double pneumonia in February, spending 38 days in the Gamelli Hospital in Rome, leaving the hospital on Mar 23 following his recovery.

His death came a day after Easter. Despite his failing health, the pope celebrated his last Easter from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, looking over worshippers and ...