Religion

Eugene

(61,949 posts) Thu Jan 2, 2014, 03:12 PM Jan 2014

Pope Francis nearly triples Vatican City crowds in 2013

Source: BBC

2 January 2014 Last updated at 18:57 GMT

Pope Francis nearly triples Vatican City crowds in 2013

Pope Francis drew more than 6.6 million people to his audiences, Masses and other events in Vatican City during his first year in office, figures show.

The statistics cover the period from the Argentinean's election in March to the end of 2013, the Vatican said.

His predecessor, Pope Benedict XIV, attracted just 2.3 million people for the whole of 2012.

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The Vatican said the new figures were based on the number of tickets sold for papal events, as well as on estimates of crowds attending his weekly appearances at St Peter's Square.

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11 replies

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Pope Francis nearly triples Vatican City crowds in 2013 (Original Post) Eugene Jan 2014 OP

Regardless of your religious beliefs or non-beliefs, Pope Francis is an Iconic Leader. democratisphere Jan 2014 #1

I agree. Nt newfie11 Jan 2014 #3

I would be uncomfortable with more world leaders... trotsky Jan 2014 #4

capitalist pope drives up vatican profits. way to go! nt msongs Jan 2014 #2

Why do you say "capitalist" pope? No Vested Interest Jan 2014 #5

Wow edhopper Jan 2014 #6

He didn't do so well in Brazil. rug Jan 2014 #7

Yes I admit it edhopper Jan 2014 #8

That is true. rug Jan 2014 #9

Yeah, this isn't about a PR campaign. Goblinmonger Jan 2014 #10

There is no question that he is speaking to a population that is hearing him cbayer Jan 2014 #11

democratisphere

(17,235 posts)

1. Regardless of your religious beliefs or non-beliefs, Pope Francis is an Iconic Leader.

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Thu Jan 2, 2014, 03:49 PM

Jan 2014

I wish there were many more world leaders like him!!

newfie11

(8,159 posts)

3. I agree. Nt

Reply to democratisphere (Reply #1)

Thu Jan 2, 2014, 04:21 PM

Jan 2014

trotsky

(49,533 posts)

4. I would be uncomfortable with more world leaders...

Reply to democratisphere (Reply #1)

Thu Jan 2, 2014, 04:27 PM

Jan 2014

who oppose LGBT rights, women's equality, and reproductive choice. That could just be me, though.

msongs

(67,442 posts)

2. capitalist pope drives up vatican profits. way to go! nt

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Thu Jan 2, 2014, 03:49 PM

Jan 2014

No Vested Interest

(5,167 posts)

5. Why do you say "capitalist" pope?

Reply to msongs (Reply #2)

Thu Jan 2, 2014, 04:41 PM

Jan 2014

As a Jesuit he has taken a vow of poverty.
It seems to me (and many others) that in his present position he is emulating the man whose name he has taken - St. Francis of Assissi.

edhopper

(33,615 posts)

6. Wow

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Thu Jan 2, 2014, 06:54 PM

Jan 2014

beat out the beloved Ratzinazi. Pretty low bar.

rug

(82,333 posts)

7. He didn't do so well in Brazil.

Reply to edhopper (Reply #6)

Thu Jan 2, 2014, 07:09 PM

Jan 2014

Reminiscent of the Reason Rally.

edhopper

(33,615 posts)

8. Yes I admit it

Reply to rug (Reply #7)

Thu Jan 2, 2014, 07:17 PM

Jan 2014

he is a very popular guy. And there are times he says positive things.
But that he is more popular than the last Pope is not a surprise.

rug

(82,333 posts)

9. That is true.

Reply to edhopper (Reply #8)

Thu Jan 2, 2014, 07:30 PM

Jan 2014

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)

10. Yeah, this isn't about a PR campaign.

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Fri Jan 3, 2014, 11:05 AM

Jan 2014

I mean, this pope is getting tongue baths for saying pretty much exactly what the last guy said. But people weren't so happy with the last guy. Toss in some pretty solid PR work and, voila, more seats in the pews. That can't translate into more money, can it? That can't be the reason.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)

11. There is no question that he is speaking to a population that is hearing him