An official told the Associated Press this week that security forces will search for explosives around the Vatican residence in Cairo.
Police are conducting door-to-door checks and searching passers-by in Zamalek. Authorities are also telling business owners to close their shops for the visit. Parking has been prohibited on major streets close to the Vatican residence.
The increased security protocols come three weeks after two Egyptian Coptic churches were bombed, killing 45 people. ISIS has claimed responsibility.
The papal visit will last two days.
The purpose of the trip is to strengthen relations between Catholics and Muslims, with a goal of ending terror and extremist violence.
The Pope will deliver a speech at an international conference on peace along with the grand imam of al-Azhar University.
Francis will also meet with Egypt's president and the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, Pope Tawadros II.
There are 272,000 Catholics in Egypt, which is less than 0.5 per cent of the population. The country's population is 90 per cent Sunni Muslim.