.- The Prefecture of the Papal Household, on the annual publication of the figures relative to papal audiences, just before the anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s election to the papacy on October 16, 1978, has stated that the Pope has received 1,512,300 people in audiences in 2004.
Of the1,512,300 visitors, 387,100 were received in the weekly general audiences, 140,200 in special audiences, 368,000 in liturgical celebrations and 617,000 for the Sunday Angelus.
From October 16, 1978 to October 16, 2004, the Holy Father has welcomed 426 heads of State, kings and queens, 187 prime ministers, 190 foreign ministers, and he has received the Letters of Credence of 642 new ambassadors to the Holy See.
These figures do not take into account the great number of people welcomed by the Pope at the end of liturgical functions in the Vatican, in Italy, or abroad.
