From 24 December to 7 February, almost 1.5 million pilgrims crossed the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica. Approximately 1,300,000.
These figures should be considered high, considering that the first months of the year are low season in the Italian capital.
In fact, the numbers are likely to increase exponentially in the run-up to Easter; it is one of the times of the year when Rome receives the most tourists; also many pilgrims.
For example, on Easter Sunday morning alone, for the Pope’s Urbi et Orbi blessing, some 100,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Square.
However, the two key moments will undoubtedly be 27 April, with the canonisation of Carlo Acutis during the Jubilee of Adolescents, and the Jubilee of the Youth. About 2 million people could be expected for those days alone.
In any case, even if the numbers can corroborate the expectations of the Jubilee, Archbishop Fisichella asks not to fall into partial visions. That is, so many sectors are involved in the Jubilee that for many it will be a success, but for others it could be a failure.
“It is not the numbers that make people say ‘the Jubilee is successful,’ said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect, Dicastery for Evangelisation
“Because if we were to count the numbers we will find that the hoteliers’ association says the Jubilee is going badly; if we ask the restaurateurs’ association it tells us it is going very well.”
The data being counted are from St Peter’s Basilica, not from the other papal sites. The figure is also updated on a daily basis.
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