New Delhi, April 26 -- Pope Francis' coffin has officially been sealed after the huge crowds of visitors - in total around 250,000 - paid their final respects to Francis over the last three days.

Pope Francis' had been lying in state in St Peter's Basilica since Wednesday. His wooden coffin was sealed on Friday night, in a private ceremony that officially ends three days of his body lying in state at the Vatican, several reports claimed.

A few images of the "private ceremony" were shared in social media.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after a papacy of 12 years. His death came almost a month after he returned there following his treatment in hospital for double pneumonia. The Vatican said Francis died after having...