A month and a half after the registration period opened for those wishing to attend the Eucharist in person, the organising body in Tenerife announced on Wednesday afternoon that it has begun contacting large groups to confirm their registration and proceed with the allocation of spaces in the port area. They have until Sunday to allocate the 32,000 available seats at the port. Seating distribution will commence on the same day, according to the organisers.
Before proceeding, two points to note. First, registering early does not guarantee a spot in the areas closest to the chancel. Secondly: although ticket allocation for the Mass will continue until Sunday, those interested who have not yet registered still have time to formalise their request, either individually or as a group. However, there are limited places available, so it is advisable for anyone wishing to witness this unique historic event not to delay.
Tickets with QR Code
Tomaticket, the company responsible for managing ticket sales, will contact the leaders of each group to instruct them on how to download and print the passes with QR codes, a document that will assign sector, access, and location within the venue. This process is free and essential for managing the arrival of pilgrims.
The port is expected to open at 08:00 and close sixty minutes before the Eucharist
Another important detail: the venue will open its doors at 08:00, and access will close at 11:00, one hour before the Pope’s arrival at the port.
Entry will be through three security checks managed mainly by the National Police, located near the Tenerife Auditorium, the Presidency of the Government of the Canary Islands, and the Tax Office. After passing this initial filter, attendees will access one of the four large sectors into which the venue is divided, identified as A, B, C, and D.
Each ticket includes all necessary information to reach the assigned seat. Nevertheless, the organisation will deploy around twenty volunteers in each of the sixteen subsectors and will also be present at public transport arrival points from first light to guide and assist pilgrims.
Support for People with Reduced Mobility
Special attention will be given to individuals with reduced mobility. Thanks to the collaboration of the Cabildo of Tenerife, an adapted transport “ferris wheel” will be set up. Small groups will be transported in special vehicles from the entrance to reserved areas for following the celebration.
The organisation emphasises the need for patience. The allocation of spaces in the port area has already begun for the larger groups and will continue progressively over the coming days.
On the evening of Thursday 11, the Popemobile will arrive from Gran Canaria, where it will be secured at Tres de Mayo
Victor González, a permanent deacon of the Diocese, is coordinating the distribution device alongside Pedro López, an Emergency doctor at the University Hospital of La Candelaria and head of the extensive volunteer operation. “The important thing is to know how to delegate,” Pedro advises.
Among the 32,000 registered are 140 groups with over forty members. Notable groups include the military parish and La Paz and La Unión, which together exceed five hundred people; the Sacred Heart with 446; the Pureza de María schools with 372; and San José de Anchieta with 348. The parish of La Concepción de La Laguna will also mobilise around 400 pilgrims.
The organisation also seeks to ensure that attendees arriving from La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro remain grouped. Specific solutions are even being considered for those arriving just in time for the celebration.
Over 1,600 Volunteers
Pedro López highlights the generosity of over 1,600 volunteers who will assist with the papal visit. Among them are around 300 extraordinary ministers of communion and an equal number of assistants who will accompany them with identifying umbrellas for easy recognition amidst the crowd.
Of the four venues for the apostolic journey, Tenerife has the second highest number of volunteers and is the only one to feature a dedicated team of nearly one hundred healthcare professionals.
Vatican Inspection
As the distribution of tickets progressed, the so-called “ITV commission” from the Vatican conducted a new technical inspection on Wednesday, focusing on security measures.
The delegation arrived in the morning at Tenerife South Airport to assess the alternative plan in case fog hinders operations at Los Rodeos on 12 June. They later visited La Salle-San Ildefonso School, from where the Popemobile, arriving from Gran Canaria the day before the visit, will depart.
The pontiff will traverse nearly one kilometre through eight-metre-wide aisles in the port
Upon reaching the port of Santa Cruz, officials from the Vatican Gendarmerie reviewed the planned route for Pope Francis, who has requested to maintain maximum proximity to the faithful. The Pope will travel nearly a kilometre between aisles of eight metres wide. They also inspected the provisional sacristies and the area designated for safeguarding the 30,000 consecrated hosts planned for the ceremony.
The day concluded at the Plaza del Cristo in La Laguna. A review of the golf cart that the Pope will use on his route through Viana and San Agustín streets is scheduled for this Thursday.
The planned route through La Salle neighbourhood before arriving at the port will also remain unchanged. The possibility of modifying it was dismissed after the commitment conveyed by Santa Cruz Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez to the Vatican authorities. “If I do not fill the streets with people, I will change the name of the city,” he joked.
