Eternal City Says All Set for Y2K, Pilgrim Hordes

Updated 10:55 AM ET November 29, 1999

ROME (Reuters) - Rome is set for a smooth switch to the new millennium, even with the hordes of pilgrims expected to swamp the Eternal City, officials said Monday.

"Some people have said having the Holy See here means we're getting help from on high. But that's not so ... we are relying on very real, solid efforts to smooth the transition to the new millennium," Mariella Gramaglia, government officer in charge of Y2K problems, told a news conference.

The pope has declared 2000 a jubilee or Holy Year for the Roman Catholic Church and as many as 30 million pilgrims are expected to flood into Rome. Gramaglia said that had spurred the city into starting preparations in good time.

Italy has drawn foreign criticism for launching Y2K preparations late and was the only G7 country to get a could-do-better report card from the State Department in a September report.

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Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), November 29, 1999

Answers

Let us not forget that we will be able to watch as the new year unfolds 17 hours before us. I have a buddy in New Zealand that's going to keep ME posted. So let the Roman orgy begin!!

-- (Polly@troll.com), November 29, 1999.

30 million pilgrims stuck overseas, unable to get home, running out of money, power going out... At least there would be some SERIOUS praying going on.

-- you know you (can@pray.anywhere), November 29, 1999.

I bet there will be a LOT of last minute cancellations to this party, maybe the organizers puttin' it off until the 'real' rollover of 1/1/01.

Just my Kookthoughts worth, my son,

Kookster

-- Y2Kook (Y2Kook@usa.net), November 29, 1999.

"...maybe the organizers puttin' it off until the 'real' rollover of 1/1/01."

Nope. The pope has already declared 2000 to be a "holy year." Pilgrims to Rome during that year get some serious indulgences, assuming anyone still believes in that.

All things considered, perhaps not the wisest decision the pope has ever made.

-- it's still (just@a.number), November 29, 1999.