Vatican: Don't Pay to See John Paul II's Beatification

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 18, 2011 (Zenit.org).- If you're worried about getting tickets to Pope John Paul II’s beatification Mass, you can relax.

The Prefecture of the Papal Household issued a statement today assuring pilgrims who are planning to attend the May 1 liturgy that no tickets will be required for the event.

The communique was issued in response to "the existence of unauthorised offers by some Tour Operators, especially on Internet, of assistance in procuring tickets, with a service charge, for General Audiences and Papal ceremonies, particularly for the Beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II," the prefecture explained.

The statement, which was issued in 7 languages -- Italian, French, Polish, German, English, Spanish and Portuguese -- also noted that "all tickets provided by the Prefecture of the Papal Household for general audiences and papal ceremonies are always issued free of charge and no person or organization can request any kind of payment."

As reported Thursday by ZENIT's Rome Notes columnist, Edward Pentin, tickets to papal audiences can be obtained by sending a request via fax to Archbishop James M. Harvey, the American prefect of the Papal Household (+39 06.69.88.58.63).

The request must include the names of the attendants, the date of the audience or ceremony, and the number of tickets required. Newlyweds should state clearly that they have been recently married, as they are eligible to receive tickets for the "Sposi Novelli" section.

It is best to send the request as early as possible. Tickets may be sent by fax, post, or can be picked up a day or two before at the "Bronze Door entrance" to the Vatican.