Massive security preparations have been underway ahead of the funeral of today, with thousands of police officers set to oversee the event. The, April 21, aged 88, following weeks of ill health.

He was admitted to hospital in February, where he was treated for dual pneumonia for five weeks, during which he suffered "two very critical episodes". News of his passing prompted a wave of tributes from world leaders and mourners around the world. And today, faithful and world leaders alike will pay tribute to the 266th pope, with some 200,000 people expected to descend on St Peter's Square in the .

Guests at today's ceremony will include world leaders like Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Emmanuel Macron. A number of , all of whom will require a large security detail.

Earlier this weeek, Sky News' Europe correspondent Adam Parsons said the security operation around the funeral would be "immense", after the Italian government released millions in funds to make sure the historic event is carried out smoothly and safely.

State-of-the-art defence and security mechanisms will be in place across the capital as well as in the skies above it, Italian outlet Corriere della Sera reported earlier this week.

This reportedly includes anti-drone weaponry, fighter jets patrolling a no-fly zone, as well as sophisticated jamming tech. Anti-sabotage and anti-terrorism units have already been deployed, as per the outlet.

According to Italian news agency , 2,000 officers from the Rome local police force have been in place between April 25 and 26 to manage the control and security activities in the St Peter's Square area, backed by other police forces.

Other measures include plain clothes police officers on patrol, and surveillance has been stepped up in the area, as per the agency.

And today, around 8,000 security agents will be in place in the Vatican, according to Rome's police chief Marcello Fulvi. Speaking to NBC, he said this figure would include some 2,000 uniformed police officers patrolling St. Peter's and the boulevard leading up to it as well as another 1,400 plainclothes officers in the streets.

The funeral will take place at at 10 am local time (9am BST) in the stunning square, which is within the papal enclave.

After the ceremony, the pontiff's body will be taken to Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, around two miles east, to be buried.