The number of pilgrims
visiting Rome for the Catholic Holy Year Jubilee of Mercy has
passed the 15-million mark exactly nine months since Pope
Francis kicked off celebrations by opening the Holy Door in St
Peter's, according to the official website of the Holy Year, a
site managed by the Pontifical Council for New Evangelisation.
The exact number of "Holy Year participants" who have come
to Rome for Jubilee events and to enter the Holy Door at St
Peter's is now 15,113,457, it said.
On July 7, exactly seven months after the start of the Holy
Year, pilgrims passed the 11-million mark
The pilgrims had passed the 10-million mark on June 22.
On April 22 Jubilee pilgrims passed the five-million mark,
so there has been a big increase in the rate of arrivals over
the last four months. Pilgrim numbers were initially below
expectations, partly because of terror attacks in Paris and
Brussels. The Jubilee started on December 8 and runs till
November 20.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
