(ZENIT News / Rome, 02.05.2025).- The Prefecture of the Papal Household, the body responsible for organizing many of the public activities in which the Pope participates, released on April 28, 2025, statistics on attendance at events with Pope Francis throughout his pontificate. During 2024, a total of 1,682,100 people attended events presided over by the Pope: 41 General Audiences, liturgical celebrations, special audiences, and Sunday Angelus.
During the first weeks of 2025 a total of 262,820 people went to events presided over by Pope Francis.
During the 12 years of Pope Francis’ pontificate a total of 34,953,276 people went to see him. However, the decline in visits is evident when comparing the 7,314,350 in 2013 with the 1,682,100 in 2024. Data from the Prefecture of the Papal Household shows this annual decline:
2013: 7,314,350
2014:5,916,800
2015: 3,210,860
2016: 3,952,140
2017: 2,712,500
2018: 2,933,300
2019: 2,414,500
2020: 102,850
2021: 336,670
2022: 2,425,300
2023: 1,689,086
2024: 1,682,100
2025: 262,820
The above data show a downward trend that only registered a slight increase in the period immediately following the pandemic. However, the decline continued afterwards. The Prefecture of the Papal Household only reflects data but does not offer interpretations regarding the possible causes of this plummet.
