By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist

The Vatican has released statistics showing that during the course of 2009, more than two million people participated in general or special audiences, in the Sunday Angelus or in liturgical celebrations presided over by the Pope.

According to statistics released by the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, more than half a million people attended the Wednesday general audiences with the month of April registering the highest attendance figures. More than one million attended Sunday Angelus prayers last year.

The statistics are approximations based on the number of formal requests to attend events, tickets issued and, in the case of the Angelus or large celebrations in St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica, calculations of the number of people present.

The statistics do not include the Pope’s  meetings with the faithful during pastoral visits in Italy or on his apostolic trips to other countries.

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com