April 24, 2014: Amidst speculations regarding the number of pilgrims arriving in
Rome, the city is getting geared up for this weekend’s canonisation of the two popes,
John XXIII and John Paul II. At a press briefing on Wednesday morning, officials from
the Diocese of Rome, the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi and Rome's City Council provided
some logistical facts and figures on how the Eternal City is getting prepared to host
the large number of pilgrims that are expected. The canonization service will be held
at 10 am on Sunday, in the St. Peter’s Square presided over by Pope Francis. On Saturday
evening prayer vigils and confessions are organized in many churches in the centre
of City, with special 'white night of prayer' held from 9 pm.
Over two and
a half thousand volunteers will be working throughout the weekend to distribute four
million free water bottles and hand out 150.000 free liturgical booklets. They’ll
also be providing information about free access to the Mass, which will be from the
river end of Via della Conciliazione, and disability assistance points, which will
be located in three areas close to St Peter’s Square.
The entire zone around
the Vatican will be closed to traffic but extra bus lines will be laid on from coach
parking facilities and both the main Metro lines will be running non-stop from early
on Saturday morning until after midnight on Sunday. Up to a thousand extra portable
toilets are being set up close to St Peter’s and surrounding areas, while 17 giant
video screens will be broadcasting the Mass live around the city, including one at
the Terminal 3 departure lounge of Rome’s Fiumicino airport.
There will be
a prayer vigil starting at 5pm in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, followed
by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and an exhibition of items pertaining to Pope
John XXIII and the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Other prayer vigils, with
the opportunity for Confession in different languages, will take place throughout
the night in churches around the city centre, including the church of St Mark beside
the Campidoglio for English speaking pilgrims and visitors.
For lots more
details, maps and live video streaming, plus liturgical and inspirational material,
you can visit the new ‘2popesaints.org’ website in five languages, download the free
app ‘Santo Subito’ from the Apple Store and Google Player or stay tuned, right here
to Vatican Radio for live commentary and full coverage of this historic weekend.