The pilgrimage before the mortal remains of Pope Francis, displayed in the Basilica of “Saint Peter“ in the Vatican, has officially ended, the Italian agency ANSA and France Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Since Wednesday morning, about 250,000 people have passed through the temple to pay their last respects to the late pontiff, the Vatican announced.
The coffin is to be sealed during a special ceremony, after which it will be placed in the crypt of the basilica.
Meanwhile, world leaders have begun to arrive in Rome to attend tomorrow's funeral. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has already received his counterparts, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, at Palazzo Chigi.
French President Emmanuel Macron is also in the Italian capital, while US President Donald Trump is on his way to Rome, where he is expected to arrive later this evening.