In first eight months, pope attracts nearly 3 million pilgrims

Published: 2005-12-28

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In the first eight months of his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI drew nearly 3 million pilgrims to public events. According to Vatican statistics, more than 2.8 million people attended the weekly general audiences, the Sunday blessings, special papal audiences or liturgical celebrations at which Pope Benedict presided. According to the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, 810,000 people attended Pope Benedict's 32 general audiences in 2005. Pope John Paul II's record for general audience attendance was more than 1.5 million people spread out over 45 Wednesdays in 1979, after his October 1978 election. Since his April 19 election, Pope Benedict held special audiences with more than 250,000 people.

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