Many thousands of people want to see the most popular Pope in modern times on his motorcade through Central Park in New York at the end of this month.
So in keeping with biblical principles, New York City decreed residents should draw lots for the 40,000 available. The free tickets were limited to people living in the city, aged over 18. Nearly 100,000 applied.
Now just days after the lottery closed and the coveted tickets were distributed, senior Catholic clerics have called for the lucky winners to desist from selling the them for as much as $5000 a pair online. One seller on Craigslist, in a listing now removed, wrote: "Pope Francis Central Park Procession NYC 2 Tickets Catholic Jesus New - $1000 (Midtown)." Another seller asking $2500 wrote: "Once in a lifetime – see Pope Francis."
The procession will be on 25 September, shortly after Pope Francis visits Our Lady Queen of Angels school and before he celebrates and preaches at a Madison Square Garden Mass in the evening. The Pope will ride his Jeep Wrangler Popemobile, similar to the one used in Ecuador, through the park at about 5pm.
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said: "Tickets for events with Pope Francis are distributed free for a reason – to enable as many New Yorkers as possible, including those of modest means, to be able to participate in the Holy Father's visit to New York."
On his blog he reflected on preparations for the Pope's widely anticipated visit, where he said Pope Francis was the antidote to losing hope. Quoting Pope Francis, he also said: "The Lord never tires of forgiving us. We're the ones who tire of asking for mercy."
Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, was among those who condemned the ticket sales. He told the New York Post: "It certainly goes against everything that Pope Francis stands for."
