Tens of thousands of people flocked to the Vatican Friday for a last glimpse of Pope Francis鈥檚 open coffin, as world leaders and other guests began arriving for his funeral.
Around 150,000 people had paid their last respects to the Argentine pontiff by midday Friday, seven hours before the end of three days of lying in state at St Peter鈥檚 Basilica, the Vatican said.
The wooden coffin, in which the pope lies wearing a red chasuble, white mitre and black shoes, with a rosary laced around his fingers, will be closed in a private ceremony at 8:00pm local time.
More than 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs are expected to attend Saturday鈥檚 funeral, alongside around 200,000 mourners.
鈥榃e love the pope, we feel blessed to see him a last,鈥� Michelle Alcaide, 35, from the Philippines, as she queued to file past the pope鈥檚 coffin Friday.
Vast crowds of people packed Via della Conciliazione, the wide avenue leading to the Vatican, pilgrims and tourists mingling with Italians enjoying the April 25 public holiday.
鈥榃hat a great man! He loved everyone, every religion,鈥� said 53-year-old Italian Igho Felici, adding: 鈥業 had to be here.鈥�
Italian and Vatican authorities have placed the area around St Peter鈥檚 under tight security with drones blocked, snipers on roofs and fighter jets on standby.
Further checkpoints will be activated on Friday night, police said.
For a second night in a row, the Vatican kept St Peter鈥檚 open past the scheduled hours to accommodate the queues, only closing the doors between 2:30am and 5:40am Friday.
鈥楴ight is the most intimate moment, the Lord always manifests himself at night,鈥� said Nicoletta Tomassetti, 60, who visited the Basilica in the very early hours of Friday morning.
鈥業t was very emotional. In prayer, I asked the pope for some things and I know he will give them to me,鈥� she told AFP.
The Catholic Church鈥檚 first Latin American pope died on Monday aged 88, less than a month after spending weeks in hospital fighting severe pneumonia.
鈥業t was like saying goodbye to a father鈥� who 鈥榣oved me and will continue to love me as and more than before,鈥� said Filipa Castronovo, 76, an Italian nun, after seeing the coffin on Friday.
Visitors to St Peter鈥檚 reported waiting hours to enter. 鈥榃hatever happens, we have to get inside,鈥� said Ian Delmonte, 35, also from the Philippines.
The Argentine pontiff, who had long suffered failing health, defied doctors鈥� orders by making a public appearance on Easter Sunday, the most important moment in the Catholic calendar.
It was his last public appearance.
Condolences have flooded in from around the world for the Jesuit, an energetic reformer who championed those on the fringes of society in his 12 years as head of the world鈥檚 1.4 billion Catholics.
On Thursday the Vatican banned people from taking photos inside the basilica, a move that eased the queue. It came after some mourners took selfies with the coffin.
After the funeral, Francis鈥檚 coffin will be driven at a walking pace for burial at his favourite church, Rome鈥檚 papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
