(by Davide Muscillo)
Hundreds of thousands of
pilgrims will be "invading" Rome for the canonization of two
popes, John XXIII and John Paul II, scheduled for Sunday.
And the Italian capital is getting ready with a plan to
boost security across the city, particularly in Saint Peter's
Square where access will be regulated and certain areas will be
off-limits.
Also, Rome's Fori Imperiali will be closed to traffic daily
for over two weeks, the A and B subway lines will be operating
non-stop for three days, more than 2,000 municipal police
officers will be deployed, and giant video screens will be
placed in Saint Peter's Square as well as in Piazza Navona,
Piazza Farnese and Castel Sant'Angelo to show the ceremonies.
MORE SECURITY, 2,430 ADDITIONAL SECURITY OFFICERS
The interior ministry has intensified security across the
city and around sensitive targets with an additional 2,430
police officers to be deployed for the event which will be
attended by an estimated 800,000 pilgrims, 61 delegations
representing 54 countries, 19 heads of State, 24 premiers and 23
ministers.
The municipal government has approved the following plan to
welcome tourists.
PEDESTRIANIZATION OF FORI IMPERIALI
Via dei Fori Imperiali will be completely closed to traffic
starting April 18 until May 4.
Only pedestrians will be allowed from Piazza Venezia to
Piazza del Colosseo and the total ban on all traffic will end on
May 4 at 7 pm.
NON-STOP METRO SERVICE AND REGULATIONS FOR BUSES
Non-stop metro services for the A and B lines with buses
connecting the subway stops with St. Peter's have been planned.
Also, the number of permits for tourist buses will be the
same as the number of parking spaces available, an estimated
4,326.
The A and B subway lines will be operating non-stop day and
night on Saturday and Sunday and until 12.30 am on Monday.
Only buses with a 'G' permit, granted for 'great events'
which includes a parking space and costs 50 euros, will be
allowed access.
Security forces will be checking bus permits on the Rome
ring road.
The 64 and 40 bus lines will operate 24 hours a day
throughout the month of April.
LIMITED ACCESS TO ST PETER'S AND SECURITY CORRIDOR
Among the latest details in the municipality's plan is to
have "off-limit" areas in Saint Peter's Square, delineated by
barriers.
In order to prevent pilgrims from congregating in Saint
Peter's Square and Via della Conciliazione, beginning Saturday
night, the areas will remain entirely closed to traffic as well
as to pedestrians.
On Sunday, pilgrims will be allowed to enter the square
only through Via della Conciliazione, starting at 5.30 am.
Officials will try to regulate access to the area and a
"security corridor" has been planned from Piazza Venezia to
Saint Peter's, as far as Porta Cavalleggeri - a corridor
intended for international delegations, security forces and
ambulances.
CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL STREET VENDORS
The municipality will boost the number of municipal police
officers on duty to control traffic and crack down on illegal
street vendors.
On Saturday, 1,209 officers will be deployed in the
historic city centre and 930 in the Prati-Saint Peter's
neighbourhood.
On Sunday, 1,011 officers will be deployed in the city
centre and 930 others around the Vatican.
WASTE AND CHEMICAL TOILETS
Almost 1,000 chemical toilets will be installed throughout
areas in Rome expected to attract the largest crowds.
Some 439 will be placed in the area of Saint Peter's alone,
while 541 will be allocated elsewhere in Rome.
Overall, 1,200 operators will be cleaning and collecting
waste.
48-HOUR ROME PASS
A card given to tourists and pilgrims will be valid for two
days and will cost 28 euros.
The card will give unlimited access to subways, buses and
trams and will enable tourists to visit monuments, museums and
archaeological areas for free or with a discount.
14-HOUR CIVIL PROTECTION AND FOUR MILLION BOTTLES OF WATER
An estimated 2,630 civil protection volunteers will be on
call around the clock and they will be distributing four million
bottles of water.
LARGE SCREENS AND WELCOME CENTRES
In order for tourists and pilgrims to be able to watch the
canonization on television, three large screens will be
installed along Via dei Fori Imperiali while another four will
be placed in Piazza Navona, Piazza Farnese, Castel Santi'Angelo
and Piazza S. Maria Maggiore.
Viewers will be given the opportunity of watching the event
live in different languages.
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