Pope John Paul II poses for a picture while meeting President Ronald Reagan while crossing paths in Anchorage, Alaska, May 2, 1984. (UPI Photo/Wally McNamee) | License Photo

Catholic monks follow the cross in procession as they arrive for a Requiem Mass for Pope John Paul II at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the burial place of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Wednesday, April 6, 2005. Clergymen from many Christian faiths attended the mass led by Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah, in memory of Pope John Paul II who died Saturday at the age of 84. (UPI Photo/Kevin Frayer/Pool) | License Photo

Catholic nuns listen during a Requiem Mass for Pope John Paul II at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the burial place of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Wednesday, April 6, 2005. Clergymen from many Christian faiths attended the mass led by Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah, in memory of Pope John Paul II who died Saturday at the age of 84. (UPI Photo/Kevin Frayer/Pool) | License Photo

A portrait of John Paul II hangs above Pope Benedict XVI as he leads the beatification ceremony of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's square in the Vatican on May 1, 2011. UPI/Stefano Spaziani | License Photo

Prelates pay respect at the coffin of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica following his beatification in Vatican City on May 1, 2011. UPI/Stefano Spaziani | License Photo

A Prelate kisses the coffin of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica following his beatification in Vatican City on May 1, 2011. UPI/Stefano Spaziani | License Photo

Prelate pay respect at the coffin of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica following his beatification in Vatican City on May 1, 2011. UPI/Stefano Spaziani | License Photo

ROME, April 17 (UPI) -- The mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino, declared his city “very ready” for the Apr. 27 Vatican canonization ceremonies at which Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII will be declared saints of the Catholic Church.

The observances in St. Peter’s Square are expected to draw 800,000 people from all over the world, the Italian interior ministry said, as well as 19 heads of state and 24 prime ministers. It added 61 official delegations, from 54 countries, will be represented.


The only issue left to be resolved is that of buses arriving in Rome with pilgrims. “We are expecting 2,000 coaches (buses) to arrive, while only 500 have registered,” Marino said.

Rome is in the midst of a media mania of sorts for Pope John Paul II, who died in 2005. A theatrical play based on his life, “Karol Wojtyla, the Opera Musical,” opened in Rome Tuesday before traveling to his native Poland. Celebrities in designer clothes mixed with priests at the theater in an event typical of opening-night glamour and excitement.

It is one of three new musicals dedicated to John Paul II, an accomplished playwright and actor in his youth.

“We gave him the opportunity to get back on a theater stage,” Patrizia Barsotti, one of the show’s writers, said.

[ANSA] [NBC News]