Clinton, Rice to join Bush at Pope funeral

The delegation accompanying President George W Bush to the funeral of Pope John Paul II will include former presidents George H W Bush and Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the White House said on Tuesday.

• The Pontiff passes on

First Lady Laura Bush will help her husband lead the five-member group representing America in Vatican City.

The funeral will be held Friday.

Bush is leaving Washington for Rome on Wednesday and will have meetings with foreign leaders on Thursday.