Demand for papal Christmas Eve Mass tickets exceeds supply

(December 23, 2009) Tickets for Christmas Eve Mass with Pope Benedict XVI were in high demand and short supply this year. There were not enough tickets available for all the people who wanted to attend the liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica, according to the Vatican. "The demand for tickets far exceeds the number of places that will be available," said Christian Brother Christopher Kierans, who handles requests in English for the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household. The basilica holds 7,000 people for Christmas Eve Mass, which this year begins at 10 p.m. Those without tickets were being invited to take outdoor seats in St. Peter's Square and follow the ceremony on two large video screens. Although the total request for free tickets was not available, the Vatican stopped accepting written requests early in December. Some people living in Rome who have traditionally received tickets were informed by fax that they could not be accommodated this year. Msgr. Roger C. Roensch, head of the bishops' office for U.S. visitors to Rome, said he had asked the Vatican for about 2,000 tickets for the Christmas Eve Mass. He eventually received only 1,700 tickets for distribution to the U.S. pilgrims, school groups and religious orders that had sent in written requests.