Lleida is preparing for a large turnout on Tuesday, as nearly 400 people from the city and its diocesan community are due to attend a vigil with the Pope at Barcelona’s Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. The event is expected to draw about 40,000 people and is being held under the theme “Alça la mirada” (Look Up).
The Diocese of Lleida secured 300 tickets, which sold out quickly. Around 70 people from Col·legi Mater, 90 from Institució Lleida and about 15 from Col·legi Claver are also expected to join the trip. To help with travel, the diocese has arranged four free coaches leaving from Lleida’s Camp d’Esports at 13:30 and 15:00. Tickets, which are nominal and transferable, will be handed out tomorrow after security checks by the Mossos d’Esquadra and National Police.
Other dioceses in the area have also organised transport. The Diocese of Solsona has arranged six coaches from places including Bellpuig, Tàrrega, Cervera and Mollerussa, while the Diocese of Urgell is providing buses with stops in La Seu d’Urgell, Andorra, Ponts and Guissona. Officials estimate that at least 1,000 people from Lleida province will attend the papal event in Barcelona, and that number could rise. All three dioceses said their tickets were fully booked within hours.
For people who cannot travel to Barcelona, there will be a local viewing option in Lleida. The Santa Maria Magdalena parish will set up a large screen in its Andrea room, with free entry from 20:00.
Catalan President Salvador Illa will also take part in part of the papal programme, including events in Madrid. He is expected to attend a reception at the Royal Palace today and to be present at the Congress on Monday. The visit has drawn attention across Catalonia and Spain.
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