THURSDAY
January 6, 2000
volume 11, no. 4

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    ROME, 5 (NE) After more than ten days since the beginning of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, thousands of pilgrims continue crossing the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica and also the Holy Doors of the St. John Lateran and Saint Mary Maggiore Basilicas. Long cues can be seen before St. Peter, with families, groups of persons and pilgrims from different countries waiting to cross the threshold of the Holy Door in order to gain plenary indulgence, in the spirit of what Pope John Paul II has asked for this Jubilee year.

    According to numbers given by the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, a million four hundred thousand people have already visited the city of Rome for religious motives, since Christmas vigil up to last Monday. This confirms that the average number of pilgrims estimated some months ago -ninety thousand per day during the Holy Year visiting Rome-, has been greatly exceeded.

    The Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State released this week a press release detailing a massive operative to offer first-aid assistance to pilgrims during the Jubilee year. Due to the great number of pilgrims that will be received in the Vatican and the Roman basilicas during this time, the Vatican commission is coordinating several first-aid posts modernly equipped, assisted by 240 doctors of various specialties and 840 nurses.

    On regular days, assistance will be focused on the four Roman patriarchal basilicas and the Vatican Museums. During large Jubilee events, first-aid posts will be located in strategically designate places. As it was informed, more than the 70% of the personnel will be serving voluntarily.

          

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