From 7,000 to 10,000 people with prior registration will be allowed to enter Freedom Square in Tallinn's city centre for the mass to be celebrated there by Pope Francis in the afternoon of 25 September. 

Registration is open until September 15, and "there is no danger at this point that there won't be enough room for everyone eager to attend," Marge-Marie Paas, spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Church in Estonia, said at a press conference on September 4.

Father Wodzislaw Szczepanik, in charge of the preparation of the mass, said that for the first part of the mass, scripture will be read and the pope will speak. In the second part, Catholics present will

receive communion.

Szczepanik explained that to everyone arriving for the mass, booklets will be handed out offering an explanation of the various aspects of mass as well as instructions on how to behave. The same will be

made available online at the time of the visit to enable smartphone users to read it on their device.

At present, negotiations with the Tallinn city government are underway to get permission to install large viewscreens near Freedom Square, on which an audience off the square could follow the mass as well. 

Pope Francis' visit to Tallinn is part of the pope's tour of the Baltic countries. He will meet with President Kersti Kaljulaid, members of the Estonian government, civil society representatives and members of the diplomatic corps at Kadriorg. He will also meet with young Christians in Kaarli Church, and with recipients of support by the church in Tallinn's St. Peter and St. Paul cathedral.

VES/ERR News