Limited Demand? Not quite

The Staten Island Advance reports that tight security for the Pope's visit has limited demand for tickets from local parishioners. That's a bit misleading, given that demand exceeded seating capacity by 100%. What the story really seems to be saying is that given the time involved in attending the papal Mass and the long day, many of the older parishioners that originally said they would like to go, are now backing out. According to the story, Staten Island parishioners are expected to board buses at 8:30 a.m. for the 2:30 p.m. Mass at Yankee Stadium.

All of these stories speak as if the ticket distribution has already taken place. Let me be clear. It hasn't. Joseph Zwilling, director of communications for the Archdiocese of New York confirmed that with me on Friday. Tickets have not been distributed. What has happened is that parishes have been notified of their allotments (how many tickets they will eventually receive). According to Zwilling, the actual tickets will not be distributed until late March or early April.

One other interesting note from this story is the fact that umbrellas will not be allowed in to either stadium for the papal Masses. So, if you have an umbrella - leave it at home.