Pope Francis’ coffin sealed in St Peter’s Basilica ahead of funeral

Ahead of Saturday’s funeral, the coffin of Pope Francis was sealed in St Peter’s Basilica on Friday evening.

The three-day viewing period ended at around 7pm, signalled by a changing of the guards at the pope’s open coffin.

So many people had lined up to see the pope lying in state, that the Vatican had extended the basilica’s opening hours, welcoming people all night long to hisse their respects due to the higher-than expected turnout. St Peter’s Basilica closed for just an hour and a half on Thursday morning for cleaning.

The Vatican said over 90,000 people had paid their respects by Thursday evening.

He was being buried with his well-worn black shoes, including scuff marks on the toe — emblematic of his simple life.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell presided over the closing and sealing of the coffin in his role of camerlengo, or interim Vatican administrator.

Before the coffin was sealed, he placed white cloth over the pope’s face, and a bag containing coins minted during his papacy was put in the coffin along with a one-page written account of his papacy.

The account, called a Rogito, summarises his whole life’s story, from his childhood in Argentina through his priesthood and eventual promotions to archbishop and cardinal in Buenos Aires — and then pope. It highlighted his “defence of innocents,” his encyclicals and also his illnesses.

“He was a simple and much loved pastor in his archdiocese, who travelled far and wide, also by subway and bus,” read the text of the document, recounting his life as archbishop. “He lived in an apartment and he prepared dinner alone, so he could feel like an ordinary person.”