Mariazell, Austria
Four lime trees planted in honor of the late Pope John Paul II are going to be cut down to make way for a visit by Pope Benedict XVI. The trees were planted near a Catholic shrine in Mariazell, to decorate the town square for the John Paul’s 1983 visit. Benedict’s visit, next month, will coincide with the 850th anniversary of the founding of the shrine. Austrian officials say the trees must go so that a huge steel grandstand can be erected in the square to accommodate thousands of pilgrims.
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