Other cultural sites have also been steadily shutting down to visitors as the Vatican marks the death of Pope Francis

The Sistine Chapel in the Vatican is to be closed to visitors from Monday due to preparations for the papal conclave, the Vatican Museums announced on Thursday. Tourist visits of the Vatican Gardens and to the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis museum are also to be suspended.

Following the death of Pope Francis, the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church will gather at some point next month to elect a new pope in one of the most famous buildings in the world, the Sistine Chapel.