His memorial service is set for Saturday morning at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) and his body will be buried at Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major in a simple wooden casket, per his request.

From patrols on the River Tiber to surveillance drones and snipers deployed around St. Peter's Square, Rome is preparing to throw a thoroughly modern security shield around the ancient rituals of a papal funeral and its attendant huge crowds.

The faithful will be flocking to Rome to honor the death of Pope Francis, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday April 26. While the city is heavily booked out, there are still ways to visit affordably.