Pope needs much larger
Mass space in Turin
by ERICA DI BLASI
Translated from
Nov. 28, 2009
Pope Benedict XVI will be celebrating Mass at Turin's Piazza San Carlo when he visits the Piedmont capital on May 2 next year for the Exposition of the Holy Shroud.
Originally the Mass was to be held at the Piazza del Duomo, in front of the Cathedral where the Shroud will be on public exposition, but the cathedral square is 'too small'.
"We made the decision because of the great number of faithful who are expected to come to Turin to see the Pope", said Mons. Giuseppe Ghiberti, vice-president of the Exposition Committee.
"Piazza San Carlo is not only beautiful but it can accommodate at least 50,000 to as many as 60,000," he pointed out. "Though we think the attendance will even be more, people can easily find space on both sides of Via Roma that leads into it".
Right panel, top to bottom: Arcades lining the square; and the two ends opening out to Via Roma.
Left panel: Views of the square showing the two 17th-century churches framing one end.
The city commune welcomed the decision. Said Turin's cultural consultant, Fiorenzo Alfieri: "Piazza San Carlo is entirely appropriate, especially now that it is a traffic-free zone. We will set up the stage between the two churches and a maxi-screen behind the equestrian statue"
The city is already humming with preparations for the Exposition from April 23 to May 10, Four thousand volunteers have been recruited so far. The website
www.sindone.org has been updated and is now accessible in more languages including Russian.
Web curators said it was in consideration of the millions of faithful, both Catholic and Orthodox, in eastern Europe, especially those who plan to visit the Shroud.
Starting December 1, it will be possible to get a reservation online to visit the Shroud. A telephone call center will be activated on Jan. 1.
In a few days, the regional education office is launching a literary and multimedia contest about the Holy Shroud at the elementary, middle school and collegiate levels. The contest is con-sponsored by the Diocese of Turin and the Committee for the Exposition of the Shroud.
They intend it to become an educational opportunity to help children adn young people "know the figure of Jesus better as well as the essential story of the Shroud".
John Paul II venerating the Shroud at its last public exposition in 1998.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 30/11/2009 17:11]