Tourists who have booked to visit Rome in the coming weeks will experience the city during a rare historical moment. Following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April, a series of religious rituals and procedures will be enacted that might impact travel plans.

As people the world over mourn the passing of Pope Francis and visit the Holy See to pay homage, here’s what to know about traveling to Rome and the Vatican City right now.

Catholics from around the world are expected to queue to see Pope Francis lying in state at St Peter's Basilica while cardinals are at the Vatican and have had their first meeting since his death