Pope Francis’ wooden coffin will be sealed on Friday night, in a private rite that officially ends three days of his body lying in state at the Vatican.

Tens of thousands of mourners converged on the Vatican on Friday for a last chance to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis as a three-day-long period of lying in state entered its final few hours.

There may be opportunities for impromptu diplomacy at one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in years.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri coordinated Francis' five-week hospital treatment for double pneumonia and continued to oversee the pope's treatment after his hospitalization.