Pope Francis’ coffin was closed and sealed in St. Peter’s Basilica in a private ceremony on Friday evening after more than 250,000 people paid their final respects to the late pope over three days of public visitation.

More than 1,800 Italian Civil Protection volunteers are currently deployed around St. Peter’s Basilica and throughout central Rome to coordinate and facilitate the flow of pilgrims paying their final respects to Pope Francis.

Throughout his papacy, Francis increased women's leadership in the Vatican, with female employees rising from about 850 in 2013 to nearly 1,200 by 2023, according to Vatican News.

Like his predecessors, Pope Francis’ pontificate was marked not only by historic events and memorable themes but also by his personality, character, and style.

PHOTO TIMELINE: Pope Francis was the 265th successor of St. Peter. Here is a timeline of key events during his papacy.