Australia's lone Cardinal in Rome for Pope's funeral

The 88-year-old Pope, who had led the church since 2013, died on Monday after suffering a stroke.

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend his funeral outside St Peter's Basilica from 6pm AEST on Saturday.

Cardinal Bychok, who Francis made a Cardinal late in 2024, said the period since the pontiff's death on Easter Monday had been "a most challenging time".

"As a newly appointed Cardinal, this experience is still very new to me," he said.

"I have only just arrived here in Rome after spending several days in the Holy Land - days that were marked by silence, prayer, and reflection in the very places where our lord walked." 

Cardinal Bychok will be part of the conclave to choose a new pontiff, expected to start early in May.

Some 160 foreign delegations will attend the funeral alongside world leaders including US President Donald Trump.

Australia will be represented by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Ambassador to the Holy See Keith Pitt, cabinet minister Don Farrell and Riverina MP Michael McCormack.

Ukrainian-born Cardinal Bychok talked of the late Pope's support of his home nation throughout Russia's military onslaught.

He called Francis's support and "closeness" to Ukraine "especially moving".

"In our darkest hours, he did not forget us. He spoke often of our suffering, he prayed for peace … he appealed to the world not to grow indifferent," Cardinal Bychok said.

"While some may have wished for stronger political gestures, what the Pope offered was something uniquely Christian: a pastoral closeness, a fatherly concern and an unceasing call for peace."

About 250,000 people from around the world have lined up to say farewell since Francis's body was brought to St Peter's on Wednesday to lie in state, the Vatican said.

St Patrick's Cathedral in Parramatta, Sydney, and St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide will hold special masses to honour Pope Francis.