Pope Benedict XVI meets more than two and a half million people in Rome this year

(02 Nov. 2006) : According to statistics of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, more than two and a half million people have met Benedict XVI in Rome or at Castel Gandolfo, during the ceremonies, audiences and recital of the Angelus. The Pontifical Prefecture, which organizes the audiences, said the number of faithful who have met the pope in the first 10 months of the year was exactly 2,674,820. Specifically, 938,500 took part in the Wednesday general audiences; 349,120 took part in particular audiences; 502,200 were present at liturgical celebrations, which took place in Rome. Meanwhile, 885,000 listened to the Angelus in Rome and Castel Gandolfo. The general audiences that drew the largest crowds were those held in May, with 207,000 participants, followed by March (126,000) and June (125,000). Meanwhile, June was the month in which most people went for recital of the Angelus (150,000), followed by March (125,000) and February (120,000).