Berlin authorities have rejected the erection of large election-type billboards to welcome Pope Benedict to Germany.
The billboards are already in use by Chancellor, Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in its Berlin election campaign, and the CDU had been agreed they would hand the billboards over for use to welcome the Pope after the election.
Local authorities however said billboards for the Pope’s German visit would make the town look ugly and could cause accidents by distracting attention.
The 9.4 square-metre billboards could only be used for election campaigns or for “reasons of overwhelming public interest” the local authority said.
Overwhelming public interest is decided by the local authority alone.
The Catholic Credo association said it will appeal the decision.
Sources
- IOL News
- Source: UK Pilgrims