‘Ring of steel’ erected around Vatican after Pope Francis’s final testament revealed

A ring of steel has been erected around St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City in preparation for Pope Francis’ funeral.

It was a few hours ago that the cobble-stoned square was filled with tens of thousands of mourners who had come to pay their respects after the death of the pontiff at the age of 88.

Now, just after 1am local time the square has emptied. In their place, lines and lines of metal barricades are being assembled, while lorries deliver more.

This comes as the coming days will bring 200 world leaders – like Donald Trump – and possibly millions of pilgrims to Rome.