Labour leader Dr Alfred Sant will join President Edward Fenech Adami and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at the funeral of Pope John Paul II, to be held at the Vatican on Friday.

Informed sources yesterday told The Malta Independent that Dr Sant was invited by Dr Gonzi to travel on the same aircraft to Rome.

Dr Sant accepted the invitation.

Mrs Mary Fenech Adami and Mrs Catherine Gonzi will also be attending the funeral.

Sources said the Maltese government was informed by the Vatican that it could send a delegation made up of the Head of State together with four other persons.

Delegations from more than 70 countries have so far been listed as attending the funeral.

Archbishop Mgr Joseph Mercieca will also be present for the funeral but will be there to represent the Maltese Archdiocese.