Society

Thousands of pilgrims head to Rome

Rome is preparing to receive hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and dozens of foreign delegations bound for the Vatican. This Sunday there will be a historical event the canonization of two popes, John Paul II and John XXIII.

According to the Italian Foreign Minister, on April 27, 19 heads of state, 24 heads of government and 800,000 pilgrims are expected to arrive in Rome.

At a rehearsal of the veneration of the saints of the two former Popes, the mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino, noted that "it will be an event of world significance". And the head of the Vatican’s Pilgrimage Directorate, Liberio Andreatta, said: “In its entire history, Rome has not witnessed such an event of the canonization of two Popes during the life of two other Popes.”

Pope Benedict XVI is also expected to appear at the ceremony, last year becoming the first pontiff to resign from the Middle Ages. Although the Vatican states that the former Pope, due to his age, has not yet made a final decision whether he will attend the event.

According to local authorities, the Roman municipality plans to spend about 7.8 million euros on organizing and providing everything necessary for the increased number of visitors to the city. The mass arrival of pilgrim tourists began before Easter on Good Friday, April 18, and is projected to last until Labor Day May 1. According to the plan of the city administration, during the time of canonization, the volume of public transport in the city will increase, additional buses will be launched on Saturday and Sunday, and the metro will work 24 hours a day. Nineteen giant screens are now being installed throughout the city, through which the ceremony will be broadcast in various languages, including Arabic, French, Italian, Polish and Spanish.

Stress for Rome

City Hall expects the arrival of 4300 buses with tourists, in addition to Rome will be organized special railways and flights. Some pilgrims even sail by ship to the port of Civitavecchia (Civitavecchia) near the capital of Italy. “From Poland alone, we are waiting for 1,700 buses, 58 charters and five special trains,” said Maurizio Pucci, a spokesman for the city hall of Rome, who said the canonization would put the city in stress.

The Ministry of the Interior employs 2,400 security officers, plus an additional 2,000 police officers on the streets. Power structures are also preparing for the influx of pickpockets who will come to the city from all over the country to profit from the distraction of tourists. The “Free Corridor” will be organized along the main avenue leading to the Vatican: it will provide free movement for police, official delegations and ambulances.

St. Peter's Square on Saturday will be closed to pedestrians; pilgrims will not have access to the ceremony venue until Sunday at 5:30 a.m. More than 2600 volunteers from city organizations will assist the guests of Rome, replacing each other on the distribution of four million water bottles to tourists and pilgrims. They will be helped by 600 volunteers from Catholic organizations, hundreds of doctors and nurses, and about 1,000 cleaners who will keep the streets clean. The Vatican Radio announced that throughout the event, special messages in different languages ​​will be carried out for pilgrims.

The result of the mass arrival of tourists was not long in coming. Prices for rental housing in Rome and the surrounding area for the weekend of canonization increased by 137-173 percent compared with the previous weekend.

Watch the video: Rome welcomes pilgrims before they head out to World Youth Day 2011 (November 2024).

Popular Posts

Category Society, Next Article

Gorgonzola - Italian blue cheese
Italian cheeses

Gorgonzola - Italian blue cheese

Gorgonzola cheese (Gorgonzola) is an Italian relative of the famous French Roquefort. They are united not only by approximately equal age (they are considered the oldest cheeses with mold), but also by the romantic legends of their birth. Let's plunge into the majestic world of blue cheeses and get to know better with the noble Gorgonzola.
Read More
Parmesan - the king of the cheese world
Italian cheeses

Parmesan - the king of the cheese world

Close your eyes and say in a whisper: "Parmesan!" And now you are already sitting in the shade of the vine, drinking your favorite wine and enjoying the taste of cheese. Truly a magic word! No less delightful is the owner of this name - Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. We will tell you about where he was born, how it came to our days, in what recipes it is used, about the composition and health benefits of parmesan.
Read More
Strakkino - "tired" Italian cheese
Italian cheeses

Strakkino - "tired" Italian cheese

Stracchino is a soft Italian cheese, a typical product of the Lombardia region. Also known as Crescenza. Not only in Russia it does not have wide popularity, but throughout the world there is a tendency to reduce its production, due to growing competition. But who is he - this undeservedly forgotten Italian?
Read More
Ricotta - Traditional Italian Whey Cheese
Italian cheeses

Ricotta - Traditional Italian Whey Cheese

Ricotta is a traditional Italian whey cheese. In the culinary world, there is an unwritten rule arising from experience: "Do not throw away anything you do not need!" Ricotta is a classic example. Prepare it from whey remaining from the preparation of other varieties. Hence the name of the cheese ricotta, which means "cooked again."
Read More