Pope closes jubilee of saints, refugees

Pope Francis will bring to a close his "Year of Mercy" Sunday, shutting the Holy Door at Saint Peter's after a packed 12 months that has seen him raise Mother Teresa to sainthood and rehome Syrian refugees.

The Argentine, who has modelled himself on Saint Francis of Assisi, spent the year with the downtrodden, holding special masses and passing one Friday every month with refugees, victims of sex trafficking, the sick, the elderly, and vulnerable children.

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He will close the panelled bronze doors at the Vatican's basilica, which will later be walled up from the inside as per tradition.

The "extraordinary Jubilee", only the third since the tradition began 700 years ago, kicked off amid security concerns, with fears of possible jihadist attacks. Police with submachine guns stood guard next to Swiss guards around the tiny state.