Tens of thousands of religious pilgrims will be in Washington for Pope Benedict's visit, as far away as Australia and Africa, but all of those people have to find places to stay.

While the Pope will be staying at the Vatican Embassy on Observatory Circle, thousands of others, flocking to the District to see him, are keeping hotels very busy.

"Oh, they're coming from all over. This is pretty big. Pope's coming," said Rob Ransom.

The Archdiocese is advising travelers to stay in Northwest. Hotels in Northeast, where the Pope makes two stops at the Basilica and Catholic University, are also booking up.

The bed and breakfast in Brookland is booked solid. "Actually we had a pretty good response. We filled up right away," said Rob Ramson with The Brookland Inn.

For those who are finding no room at the inn of your choice, at least one church is offering an alternative. In Silver Spring, parishioners at St. Michael The Archangel are being asked to open their home to out-of-towners. "And open it for the strangers who are willing to participate in the Pope's blessing," said parishioner Antoinette Reyes.

Mary Rose Nwadike said she's more than willing to help out. "We'll open up everywhere The basement, the living room, the dining room; they can crash anywhere!"

Unfortunately, she already has five family members coming in from Nigeria, but she says if another pilgrim needs the space, she will do all she can to find the room. "For the Pope, anything."

Email To A Friend