People beg for tickets to pope's mass

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Parish priests' offices have been flooded with requests from people wanting tickets to the mass Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate in Washington.

Tickets for the April 17 celebration at the 45,000-seat Nationals Park stadium, have become a hot item across the country, The Washington Post reported Friday.

The decision on who will get the prized tickets is difficult because of the heartrending nature of many requests, the Post said.

"If I can get tickets to this event, I will be proposing to my girlfriend there or shortly after. Please understand that my girlfriend has brought Christ into my life ... and I can see us walking with the Lord together forever," one request said.

Church officials were reportedly set to announce Friday how many tickets would be given to the 140 parishes belonging to the Archdiocese of Washington.