Three days of public viewing of Pope Francis' body by ordinary mourners and statesmen alike ended on Friday. Francis died on Monday at age 88 after suffering a stroke.

The Vatican said that around 250,000 mourners filed through St Peter’s Basilica over the three days to pay their last respects as Francis lay in state in a simple wooden coffin.

Hundreds of disappointed people were turned away when authorities closed St Peter’s Square hours before the viewing period ended.

The pope’s casket will be closed and sealed later on Friday in the next in a series of carefully orchestrated rites set off by the death of a pope.

Francis will be buried after a funeral Mass on Saturday, which will be attended by heads of state, royals, prelates and ordinary mourners. (AP)