Mexican authorities are in the midst of preparing Pope Francis' February visit to the country, where the head of the Roman Catholic Church is expected to draw huge crowds and where thousands of police officers will be assigned to protect the 79-year-old pontiff.

Up to 2.3 million spectators are expected to attend the trip's main event on the outskirts of Mexico City, and Mexico State Gov. Eruviel Avila told The Associated Press on Jan. 7 that medical and aid facilities needed to be set up for the encounter in the city of Ecatepec.

Beyond Ecatepec, Francis is also set to visit the Mexican capital, as well as the states of Chiapas, Michoacan and Chihuahua. In Mexico State alone, 10,000 state police officers will be assigned to keep the peace at a 5.5.-mile motorcade and rally on Feb. 14.

But Alberto Suárez Inda, the archbishop of Morelia, told reporters at a news conference on Jan. 5 that the Argentine-born head of the world's Catholics asked for the security measures to be limited, Notivideo reported.

"The pope has called for no extraordinary measures. On the contrary, (he intends) to be near the people," Suárez said. "He would not come if he did not have his confidence in God, in the goodness of the people. We're all mortals, but as far as I know there has been no change in politics to necessitate more protection."

During his trip, Francis plans to first visit the Michoacán capital of Morelia, where he will meet with young people and give a speech at a stadium there after visiting the city's cathedral, The Guardian reported. A day later, on Feb. 17, he will head to Ciudad Juárez, the largest municipality in Chihuahua, which had been plagued by heavy violence during the last decade.

Francis is also scheduled to visit the basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the Americas.

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