Italy and Vatican City – Huge Crowds Likely in Rome for Canonization Mass

As many as three million people are expected to attend a canonization mass for Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City on April 27. Security will likely be extremely tight at the site; vehicular traffic will be banned around Vatican City beginning at 1900 April 26. Passenger rail services run by Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane will run on an increased schedule to and from Rome, including to Fiumicino Airport, April 26-27 due to the number of people expected to travel from across the country. Metro services will also run more often; expect extremely crowded conditions on mass transit throughout the city. Unannounced demonstrations may occur prior to and during the mass.