Record Vatican crowds continue a year after pope's death

Published: 2006-03-23

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- One year ago in April, the city of Rome saw record numbers of crowds when millions of people flocked to the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica for the funeral of Pope John Paul II, the conclave of cardinals and the subsequent election of Pope Benedict XVI. In just one week, more than 3 million people descended on the Vatican to honor Pope John Paul, who died April 2, 2005. According to the Vatican, the crowds have just kept coming. In just the first eight months of his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI drew nearly 3 million pilgrims to public events. According to the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, 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. Also, the number of visitors going through the doors of the Vatican Museums in 2005 broke all records.

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