First and foremost, the visit was used as a chance to renovate the Aglona Basilica, Latvia's most famous Catholic shrine.
Pavements and terraces, as well as the towers and the altar were renovated by September 24 for €554,776 -- the lion's share of the spending.
Another €95,790 was given to the local parish for event expenses and another €38,720 to the municipality which spent it on security measures.
As concerns security measures, €22,554 was given to the Defense Ministry, €15,127 to the State Police and €2,500 to the Security Police; a meager €700 to the State Fire and Rescue Service.
Meanwhile the Border Guard were given €42,580 to increase border security and transport the Latvian president.
Another €158,385 were given to the Chancery of the President of Latvia, of which €108,775 went to the press center and another €49,610 for ensuring helicopter and other transport.
Some ministries managed to get in on the action too. The Agriculture Ministry required €538 to inspect water quality and the Health Ministry got €508 to check water supplies for microbiological and chemical pathogens.
As reported, the Latvian government also approved spending approximately €145,000 on ensuring coverage of the Pope's 10-hour visit on public media. €105,000 euros went to Latvian TV and €40,000 euros to Latvian Radio. €1,000 euros of the allocation to LTV were earmarked for coverage on LSM, of which LSM's English language service forms a part.
