Over 2.5 million attended papal events in 2011

(December 30, 2011) Over 2.5 million faithful attended various events of Pope Benedict XVI in 2011, with more than half of them at general and private audiences and the mid-day ‘Angelus’ and “Regina Coeli’ prayers. The Prefecture of the Papal Household on Thursday released the figures of the Papal encounters and activities for the year that is ending. 2,553,800 faithful participated in various meetings with the Pope, including 400,000 people in 45 general audiences of Wednesday and 101,800 people in special audiences. 846,000 faithful were present at the Pope’s liturgical celebrations and over 1.2 million at the midday ‘Angelus’ e ‘Regina Coeli’ prayers. The figures are based on tickets issued by the prefecture and on estimates at open gatherings such as the ‘Angelus’ and public ceremonies in the Vatican and at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. The figures do not include papal visits to Italy and abroad.