It was one of the biggest crowds to gather in Rome for decades.Among the scheduled events were conferences, a fashion show, a large parade, a leather dance, and a concert featuring Gloria Gaynor, The Village People, RuPaul and Geri Halliwell. The organisers claimed 250,000 people joined in the march to the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus, two of Rome's most famous ancient sites. Peter's Square during WorldPride 2000 stating, in regards to the event, that it was an «offence to the Christian values of a city that is so dear to the hearts of Catholics across the world.» Pope John Paul II addressed crowds in St. The event was staunchly opposed by Pope John Paul II and seen as an infringement on the numerous Catholic pilgrims visiting Rome for the Catholic Church'sGreat Jubilee. He restored the funding and promised to help with permits, but declined to back down on a demand that organizers remove the city logo from promotional materials. Hours after his announcement, Rutelli mostly reversed himself in response to harsh criticism from the left. Rome officials had promised to put up USD 200,000 for the event, however bowing to ferocious opposition from the Vatican and conservative politicians, Rome's leftist mayor, Francesco Rutelli, on withdrew logistical and monetary support.
