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Antonin Scalia death: Funeral Mass for US Justice Antonin Scalia death: Funeral Mass for US Justice
(about 1 hour later)
A funeral Mass is being celebrated in Washington for US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died last weekend at the age of 79.A funeral Mass is being celebrated in Washington for US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died last weekend at the age of 79.
The service, attended by Vice-President Joe Biden, is being held in the country's largest Catholic church. Thousands are attending the service, being held in the largest Catholic church in the United States.
Mr Scalia's coffin had earlier lain in the Supreme Court with President Barack Obama among those paying respects.Mr Scalia's coffin had earlier lain in the Supreme Court with President Barack Obama among those paying respects.
The death of Mr Scalia, who was seen as a hero by the US right, has sparked a political row over his successor.The death of Mr Scalia, who was seen as a hero by the US right, has sparked a political row over his successor.
How death reshapes key casesHow death reshapes key cases
The crisis of US governabilityThe crisis of US governability
Scalia in his own wordsScalia in his own words
Private burialPrivate burial
The Supreme Court says more than 6,000 visitors viewed the casket in the Great Hall on Friday. Thousands of mourners filled the vast Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday.
It was then moved on Saturday morning to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the funeral Mass, concluding two days of official mourning. One of Mr Scalia's nine children, Rev Paul Scalia, led the Mass, ahead of a private burial.
One of Mr Scalia's nine children, Rev Paul Scalia, will lead the Mass, ahead of a private burial. Rev Scalia, who serves the diocese of Arlington, Virginia, said: "We are gathered here because of one man. A man known personally to many of us, known only by reputation to even more, a man loved by many, scorned by others, a man known for great controversy, and for great compassion."
Rev Scalia, who serves the diocese of Arlington, Virginia, will deliver the homily. No eulogy is expected. But he then added: "That man, of course, is Jesus of Nazareth."
The country's eight remaining Supreme Court justices will attend. It was because of Jesus that "in confidence we commend Antonin Scalia to the mercy of God".
The BBC's Washington correspondent Gary O'Donoghue says thousands are expected to pack the Basilica to commemorate the life of a man seen as a hero by the religious and political right. The country's eight remaining Supreme Court justices are attending the service.
One of them, Clarence Thomas, offered a Bible reading.
The BBC's Washington correspondent Gary O'Donoghue says those in the basilica are commemorating the life of a man seen as a hero by the religious and political right.
But, he says, even before Mr Scalia has been laid to rest, the political battle lines over his successor have already been drawn, with a Republican-controlled Senate threatening to block any nomination the president puts forward.But, he says, even before Mr Scalia has been laid to rest, the political battle lines over his successor have already been drawn, with a Republican-controlled Senate threatening to block any nomination the president puts forward.
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were among those paying their respects at the flag-draped casket on Friday, but are not attending the funeral. The Supreme Court says more than 6,000 visitors viewed the casket in the Great Hall on Friday.
Mr Biden has a close personal relationship with the Scalia family, and White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Mr Obama's attendance could create security issues. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were among those paying their respects at the flag-draped coffin, but are not at the funeral.
Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz is attending the Mass. Vice President Joe Biden is at the Mass - he has a close personal relationship with the Scalia family - as is Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz.
He has been among those demanding there be no nomination of a successor until after the November presidential election. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Mr Obama's attendance could have created security issues.
Mr Cruz has been among those demanding there be no nomination of a successor until after the November presidential election.
Mr Obama has insisted he will go through with the nomination.Mr Obama has insisted he will go through with the nomination.
Mr Scalia's death leaves the Supreme Court evenly divided between liberal and conservative justices ahead of crucial cases on abortion, voting rights and immigration.Mr Scalia's death leaves the Supreme Court evenly divided between liberal and conservative justices ahead of crucial cases on abortion, voting rights and immigration.
According to the constitution, the president nominates justices to the court and the Senate uses its "advice and consent" powers to confirm or reject that person.According to the constitution, the president nominates justices to the court and the Senate uses its "advice and consent" powers to confirm or reject that person.
Mr Scalia died unexpectedly at his remote Texas ranch last Saturday.Mr Scalia died unexpectedly at his remote Texas ranch last Saturday.
He had a history of heart trouble and high blood pressure, and US authorities said there had been no foul play. He had a history of heart trouble and high blood pressure. US authorities said there had been no foul play.