Over 6.6 million attended events led by Pope Francis in 2013
January 03, 2014 - Over 6.6 million people have attended events led by Pope Francis
at the Vatican since his election in March. Figures released by the Pontifical Household
on Thursday are based on the number of tickets issued for papal events such as at
Wednesday’s general audiences, Masses and private audiences. A communiqué said they
were also based on estimates of the number of people at events where tickets are not
needed, such as at the weekly midday Angelus or Regina Coeli or other celebrations
in St. Peter’s Square. The Pontifical Household specified that the figures released
do not include the crowds that turned out to see the Pope during his only foreign
trip to Brazil as well as to Assisi, Lampedusa, Cagliari and in other events in Italy
and in Rome diocese.