The Prefecture of the Papal Household, this week published a communique in which it reported that during 2013, since his election on 13 March, more than 6,600,000 faithful participated in the various encounters with Pope Francis: general audiences (1,548,500), private audiences (87,400), liturgical celebrations in the Vatican Basilica and in St. Peter’s Square (2,282,000), Angelus and Regina Coeli (2,706,000).

The Vatican said that these data refer exclusively to activities which took place within the Vatican, and do not include other events in which hundreds of thousands of faithful have gathered around the Holy Father, such as the apostolic visit to Brazil in July for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, and visits within Italy, to Lampedusa, Cagliari and Assisi, as well as visits within the diocese of Rome.

The total number of faithful who have participated in these events is estimated at 6,623,000. The Prefecture of the Papal Household emphasises that these are approximate data calculated on the basis of requests to participate in events and invitations issued by the Prefecture.

Additionally, an estimate has been given for the number of attendees at the Angelus and the major celebrations in St. Peter’s Square.

Permalink: More than 6,600,000 faithful came to see Pope Francis in 2013