The few hotels have been booked for months, reported the Vatican agency Fides. Even Catholic Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, who is arriving from Moscow, is uncertain about his lodging, since the few rooms available for clergy have already been assigned.
Kievskie Vedomosti, the capital´s newspaper, reported that the papal visit will cost the government no more than $600,000; the Church will cover the rest of the bill. Many overseas Ukrainians in the United States, Canada and Australia and elsewhere are contributing to cover the costs.
BBC reported that Ukrainian state television plans an unprecedented 18 hours of live broadcasts during the papal visit. The programs will included four liturgical celebrations — two in the Latin rite, two in the Byzantine rite — as well as meetings with religious and political leaders.
During the three days of the papal visit in Lviv, the sale of tobacco and alcohol will be prohibited, to keep the streets free of drunkards and litter.
