Rome police wrote fines to metropolitan hotels, the total amount of which amounted to 100 thousand euros, after it became known that they had violated a number of rules in an attempt to get more visitors on the eve of double canonization.
Today it became known that fines were imposed from 21 Roman hotels for violating a number of requirements. For example, some hotel owners placed several beds in single rooms, despite the lack of a corresponding license. One hotel, designed for 15 beds, offered to accommodate 24 people. Other hotels, as it was recently discovered, completely concealed some of the sums received from accommodating guests.
The Italian Interior Minister said that about 19 heads of state will arrive in Rome for the ceremony of double canonization, as well as about 800 thousand pilgrims who want to see with their own eyes the two Pope, John Paul II and John XXIII, will be elevated to the face of saints. And as Rome welcomes thousands of guests, owners of hotels and apartments for rent are already looking forward to increased profits. For example, the Internet portal Casa (www.casa.it) reports that prices for apartments with furniture have increased significantly. The Mayor of the Eternal City said that the capital expects at least 4,300 buses with pilgrims, whose safety and comfort during their stay in Rome is a priority for local authorities.
“From Poland alone, we are waiting for 1,700 buses, 58 charter flights and 5 trains,” says Maurizio Pucci, one of the Roman officials, explaining that the city is experiencing “stress” due to canonization.
Meanwhile, the city authorities have developed a program for believers arriving in Rome. On Thursday, the Vatican Museums open photo exhibition "Humility and courage that changed history" ("L'umiltà e il coraggio che hanno cambiato la storia"), dedicated to two pontiffs, who will soon be called saints. Visitors will be able to view 120 photographs of two popes, as well as see some videos that also capture John Paul II and John XXIII.
On the night of April 26, eleven churches in Rome will open their doors to all who wish to prepare for a significant event in prayers.
It is worth noting that services will be conducted in several languages. Internet users will be able to find out all the necessary information regarding events held these days on the website www.2papisanti.org, which not only tells about the life and achievements of the Popes in five languages, but contains all the materials that may be needed during the festive liturgies.
The entire area of the square near St. Peter's Basilica will be freed from traffic already on Saturday afternoon to clear the space for everyone who will attend the ceremony. The mayor of Rome said that television screens were already being installed in the city on which the entire service would be broadcast, and the owners of souvenir workshops and stalls were already ready to provide Italian guests with commemorative figures depicting two pontiffs. All those who did not manage to get to the Vatican to personally witness the whole triumph of beatification will be able to watch the ceremony online, as well as on TV.
