The Pope’s visit to France will cost 27 million euros. This is the estimate by the French Church, which has started a fundraising campaign: over 5 million euros have already been collected. But the large budget, necessary to welcome the Pontiff from September 25 to 28 in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, does not worry the French bishops too much, who strongly wanted the Pope’s visit this year. There will be major benefactors to lend a hand, but also the sale of merchandise related to Leone’s presence, to cover the costs.
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This amount covers all the necessary expenses for the organization» of the apostolic trip, explained the French Episcopal Conference, including welcoming participants, logistical support, and preparing the various venues where Leo XIV will stop. It is not only the budget that challenges the organizers but also the announced presence of hundreds of thousands of people in a very concentrated trip.
The stops
In Paris «the challenge will be to welcome about one million people in six distinct events over a day and a half», explained the Diocese of Paris, as reported by AFP.
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In Lourdes, “we will welcome 50,000 people on Saturday evening” for a prayer in the sanctuary’s grotto, «150,000 people on Sunday morning» for a large mass, and «25,000 people on Sunday evening» for a torchlight procession, said Damien Masset, sanctuary coordinator.
In Metz, where the visit will conclude on Monday the 28th, «40,000 people» are expected coming «from the entire Grand Est region, from Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium». «For over a month there has not been a single room available in Metz», it was said at a press conference. Fully booked for weeks also in Lourdes.
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