Altar construction ongoing
Usually, the stage for a major event at the Olympiastadion Berlin is constructed several meters in front of the marathon gate. For the mass that Pope Benedict XVI. will celebrate at the Olympiastadion Berlin on September 22, 2011, the usual stage position does not apply. The main altar is the focal point for the celebration of the Eucharist and is currently being built by about a dozen construction workers directly on the marathon gate stairs.
The Berlin archbishopric anticipates more than 70.000 spectators to celebrate the mass with the holy father. Before the mass at the Olympiastadion Berlin, the leader of the Catholic church will give a speech at the Bundestag (German parliament) and make his way to the Olympiastadion in the district of Charlottenburg afterwards. Following his visit to Berlin, the Pope will also travel to Erfurt and Freiburg on his trip through Germany.
The mass in Berlin is sold out!