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Woman dragged off Ryanair flight after ‘on-board fight’ diverts it to Italy

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Holidaymakers looking forward to a summer break in Corfu ended up miles away in Bologna after a ‘fight on board got out of hand’.

Two ‘disruptive passengers’ had to be hauled off the Ryanair flight after a bust-up broke out.

The plane was due to arrive in Corfu at 10.40pm local time after leaving Manchester Airport at 5.30pm.

Things turned prickly when two passengers were sitting apart, then moved to be seated together.

A fight erupted and the crew had to call for assistance, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Passengers were removed from the plane in Bologna, Italy.

'Disruptive' female passenger is dragged off Ryanair flight after 'on-board fight' forced it to divert to Italy FR2100 / RYR21KK
The flight was pulled off course from the scheduled Manchester to Corfu trip (Picture: Flight radar)

Footage shows a woman being dragged off the plane by officers.

She can be seen pulling away from Italian police as they drag her off the runway.

Tourists were then able to continue their journey to Corfu not long after.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: ‘This flight from Manchester to Corfu (29 Apr) was forced to divert to Bologna after two passengers became disruptive onboard.

Footage shared with the MEN shows a woman being carried off the plane by officer
Footage shared with the MEN shows a woman being carried off the plane by an officer (Picture: MEN Media)

‘Crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon landing at Bologna and removed these two disruptive passengers before this flight continued to Corfu later that same night.

‘Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Posted in Catholic Church Donald Trump Italy News Pope Francis Prince William, Prince of Wales Rome Sir Keir Starmer UK News Vatican City Volodymyr Zelensky World

Pope Francis to be laid to rest as global elite gathers for final journey

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/Shutterstock (15270076s) Ariel view of the body of Pope Francis displayed for the faithful to pay homage at St. Peter's Basilica. Faithful queue to view Pope Francis in Vatican - 24 Apr 2025
Aeriel view of the body of Pope Francis displayed for the faithful to pay homage at St Peter’s Basilica (Picture: SOPA Images/S)

A moment of history is unfolding in the Vatican City as an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics are preparing to bid farewell to Pope Francis during his final journey today.

For the first time in more than a decade, the world will watch the funeral of a pontiff – not one who resigned, but one who died in office – and crucially, one who broke Catholic convention by accepting LGBTQ+ couple.

It is one of the most significant moments in recent Catholic history – and one that will be remembered for generations to come.

Metro is on the ground in the heart of the Vatican, so follow along with us from St Peter’s Square.

What is the mood in the Vatican?

As clouds clear above the cobblestones of St Peter’s Square, the gates are overwhelmed with the crowds of mourners pouring from all directions.

Some are clutching rosaries, small flags and pictures of Francis, but most are armed with cameras and selfie sticks.

popes funeral route
The route of the funeral procession from St Peter’s to St Mary Major (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

It is a well-oiled security operation by now – despite all the logistics. Official entry points, luggage scanners, checks every few metres. The perimetre is locked down and thousands of officers from Swiss Guards, Carabinieri andvarious branches of the Italian military are ensuring the safety.

For now, everyone’s eyes are peeled on the gates of St Peter’s Basilica from where Francis will begin his final journey. The weight of what is to come in the next few hours is hanging in the air.

Outside its walls, hundreds of thousands of people are lining the streets in the Italian capital to say goodbye to the pontiff and the number is expected to rise closer to the funeral.

For those still hoping to get to a vantage spot in St Peter’s Square, there is a level of anxiety.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 25: (EDITOR NOTE: STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY - NO MERCHANDISING) A view of the Pope Francis coffin as Cardinal Kevin Farrell presides in St. Peter's Basilica at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin of the late Pope Francis, ahead of the papal funeral on Saturday morning, on April 25, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis, who died on April 21 aged 88, is lying in state for a final day ahead of tomorrow's funeral in St. Peter's Square. (Photo by Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
Pope Francis’ coffin as Cardinal Kevin Farrell presides in St Peter’s Basilica at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin (Picture: Vatican Media/Getty)

Many have travelled from afar, so there is an additional layer of pressure to make the most of this historic moment.

What are the funeral plans? Schedule and route to burial site

The official ceremony will begin with the pope’s coffin being taken out of St Peter’s Basilica and into the square.

The funeral Mass is due to start at 10 am (9am BST) with a choir singing introductory rites in Latin.

Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will deliver the homily and lead the Mass, which is expected to be con-celebrated by 220 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests near the altar, and more than 4,000 other priests con-celebrating in the square.

Francis will then be buried according to his wishes in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, outside the Vatican.

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The last pontiff to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903.

The funeral cortege will travel to the basilica at walking pace, for around three hours.

Crowds are expected to gather along the route, which is 3.4 miles long and will pass by many of Rome’s famed monuments, including the Colosseum.

A group of poor people will be present on the steps leading to Mary Major to pay their final respects to Francis, reflecting his devotion to serving the poor and oppressed during his reign.

Pope Francis’ funeral hour by hour

8.30am – Archbishops and bishops will begin to assemble in the Constantine Wing, a corridor adjacent to St Peter’s Basilica

9am – Patriarchs and cardinals will meet in Saint Sebastian’s Chapel in the Basilica

10am – The funeral will begin and the coffin will be laid in the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica

11.45am – At the end of the funeral – approximately 11.45am local time – the procession will begin

The burial will be a private service, but visitors to the tomb will be allowed shortly afterwards. The tomb will be inscribed only with the Latin name for Francis, Franciscus.

Who is attending the event?

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony in the vast square.

So far, at least 100 foreign delegations are among them, including some 50 heads of state.

Francis’ funeral will be something of a ‘spot the world leader’ game – but it is only a testament to the pope’s legacy and his reach beyond the Catholic Church.

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The Vatican has tightened security – including the deployment of anti-drone technology in case of unauthorised aircraft during Pope Francis’ funeral. @Metro #italy #rome #vatican #popefrancis #security #news #journalism #fyp #trendingvideo

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Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump will soon arrive for the start of the procession after flying in last night.

Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William will represent the Royal Family in Rome, not King Charles.

Their presence is just one reason why security measures across Rome and especially inside the Vatican is tighter than ever.

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Time running out for mourners hoping to get a final glimpse of Pope Francis

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Today marks the final chance for people to file through the Vatican City before St Peter’s Basilica closes its Holy doors – and say their goodbyes to Pope Francis.

As dawn breaks over Rome, the queue to see the pontiff’s open coffin is already snaking past the colonnades.

It is a testament to Francis’ legacy after he reshaped the Catholic Church over his 13-year tenure.

All mourners want is a fleeting moment beside the simple wooden coffin of the pontiff under Michelangelo’s golden dome.

Francis has been laid in front of the Papal Altar, stood over by four Swiss Guards – the traditional guard of honour of the papacy.

It is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bear witness to a moment in history to be remembered for generations ahead.

Faithful walk with umbrellas as Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica, as seen from Rome, Italy, April 24, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
The rainy weather did not deter pilgrims to queue to enter St Peter’s Basilica (Picture: Reuters)

St Peter’s Square had already transformed into a jungle – pilgrims praying, tourists clutching selfie sticks, TV crews rushing to find a vantage filming spot and Vatican volunteers shouting directions in half a dozen languages.

As the 7pm cutoff looms today, tensions are mounting and the atmosphere has shifted dramatically.

Some have come early – before work – to see if they can make it in time, but mostly the crowd is made up of Italians who had travelled from all corners of the world and tourist.

More than 61,000 people have queued to see the pontiff since Wednesday ahead of the funeral, Vatican officials said.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tom Nicholson/Shutterstock (15267438k) People gather to view Pope Francis lying in state inside St. Peter's Basilica ahead of his funeral. Mourning period and funeral arrangements for Pope Francis, Vatican City, Rome, Italy - 24 Apr 2025
People gather to view Pope Francis lying in state inside St Peter’s Basilica ahead of his funeral (Picture: Shutterstock)

By nightfall yesterday, lines had formed for just under a mile north of the Vatican.

Some pilgrims reported waits – at some points during rainfall – of at least three hours to make it inside.

Late into the night, people were shown running to join the end of the queue for a chance to pay their respects to Francis.

They had left it until the very last minute in the hopes that mostly people would have surrendered and gone home.

St Peter’s Basilica had initially been scheduled to close at midnight on Wednesday but given the size of the crowds, officials kept it open until 5.30am before it reopened at 7am.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Posted in Catholic Church Hungary Italy LGBTQ+ News Pope Francis Rome UK News Vatican City Vladimir Putin World

Fifth of humanity could be ruled by one of the most conservative leaders

The Hungarian cardinal is one of the top candidates to succeed Francis (Picture: ABACA/REX/Shutterstock)

A hardline stance against LGBTQ+ marriage within the Catholic Church. A gatekeeper of ‘traditional family values’.

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