CABINET ministers Kenneth Clarke and Baroness Warsi are representing the UK Government at the inauguration of Pope Francis in Rome today.

Prime Minister David Cameron's official spokesman said the two ministers are attending the inauguration, when Pope Francis is officially installed as new leader of the Roman Catholic Church in St Peter's Square, Vatican City.

Also attending is the Duke of Gloucester, who is representing the Queen.

The Queen, head of the Church of England, has never attended the event but is usually represented, although this has happened only in recent years.