Over 2 Million Pilgrims present at papal celebrations in 2012
January 03, 2013: More than two million pilgrims attended Papal celebrations in 2012,
revealed the Prefecture of the Papal Household on Wednesday. While releasing the
numbers indicating the participation of the faithful in the celebrations with Pope
Benedict XVI in the year just ended, the communique said that 2,351,200 people received
passes on demand to attend papal ceremonies. This include 447,000 who attended
43 general audiences of the Pope, 146,800 to some special meetings; 501,000 to various
liturgical celebrations presided over by the Pope. The number also included that of
about 1,256,000 to Angelus in St. Peter's Square and Castel Gandolfo. Overall, since
2005 there were 20,544,970 pilgrims who attended in meetings with the Pope in the
Vatican and in his summer residence of Castle Gandolfo.