What we know about Pope Benedict XVI's funeral arrangements

At least 60,000 people were expected for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on January 5, and around 30,000 were expected to visit St. The emeritus' body is believed to be buried there, according to a Rome city security official.

On the other hand, hundreds of thousands of people attended the funeral in 2005 from Pope John Paul, whose papacy lasted 27 years compared to eight for Benedict. About two million people marched past John Paul's bier in St. Peter's Basilica, amid a week-long wave of pilgrims that Italian authorities estimated at three million or more.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">The airspace above Saint-Pierre will be closed during Thursday's ceremony and at least 1,000 police will be deployed, said security chief Bruno Frattasi. Volunteers from the national civil protection agency will also provide assistance to those attending the funeral and ambulances will be on site, he added.

The system public transport in Rome will also be adjusted to handle more passengers.

The decisions were made on Saturday during a meeting of a security and order committee for the province of Rome. Other logistical issues - including how to move those wishing to pay their last respects through the basilica - were also discussed.

The committee is expected to meet at again before the funeral for fine tune details.

Matteo Bruni, a Vatican spokesman, said Saturday that, in accordance with Benedict's wishes, the funeral would be "marked by simplicity".

The Vatican said delegations of officials from Germany and Italy would attend.