papal audience tours

Papal Audience Experience with Pope Francis

• Our expert guide will provide insight into the history and traditions of the Papacy before the Papal Audience begins.
• Although Papal Audience tickets are free, we take care of reserving and picking up the tickets for you, making the whole process stress free .
• We arrive early to ensure you get a good spot to see the Pope as he circulates to greet the crowd. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Pope himself!

Your Papal Audience Experience Tour

What's included.

• English-speaking guide
• Escorted visit and presentation
• Audio headsets so you can always hear your guide
• Small groups of 20 people or less
• Ticket reservation service and ticket pick-up (Tickets are free of charge)
• Confirmed invitation and attendance to Papal Audience with Pope Francis

Sites Visited

• St. Peter's Square for the Papal Audience

On this tour, you'll hear the fascinating history of the Papacy and get to see the Pope himself! This is an especially busy and popular event, but City Wonders will ensure that your experience runs smoothly, allowing you to see the Pope with ease and without stress from the best possible location. 

You'll have an expert, English-speaking guide on hand to lead you through the huge crowds, directly to St. Peter's Square, with individual headsets so you can hear your guide over the roar of the crowd. Once settled, your guide will provide an in-depth insight into the history and traditions of the Papacy and Papal Audience ceremony so you're fully prepared for the moment when Pope Francis takes the stage alongside the Cardinals. Understanding the rich traditions of the Papacy and background on the event itself will make for a memorable experience.

Pope Francis near you

We know exactly where to sit so that the Pope passes you when entering! Pope Francis will give a special greeting. Then with the help of his Cardinals, he will perform blessings in many languages, sing hymns and give homilies.

Find yourself only feet away from Pope Francis on our guided Papal Audience Service, where we secure your pre-booked tickets and ensure that you arrive in time to find a good spot to see the Pope, as he passes you greeting followers and priests from around the world. This Papal Audience experience is a perfect complement to our Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and St. Peter's Basilica Tour, which we offer 6 days per week, multiple times per day.

Since the election of Pope Francis, the number of people traveling from around the world to attend the Papal Audience has been rising significantly, sometimes with crowds of up to 100,000 people. Pope Francis has already earned a reputation for interacting with his audience more than any pope before him. Papal Audiences have become a spirited event – with the crowds encouraged to pray and sing along. Attending this energetic display of faith is a once-in-a-lifetime event not to be missed by any visitor to Rome.

Although Papal Audience tickets are free, organizing your own can be a difficult process. We cut out the hassle by reserving your invitation for you, picking it up and bringing it to the meeting point. Then we lead you inside with plenty of time to secure a good place to see the Pope as he makes his way to the stage.

Due to the tremendous popularity of Pope Francis, record numbers of people attend the weekly Papal Audience. Book early to make sure you do not miss this incredible event.

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Important Notes

• Tickets are free and spots are available, but they are extremely hard to come by, so booking in advance is essential because not everyone can participate.
• Unfortunately we are no longer able to accommodate wheelchairs on this service and will be unable to wait for guests arriving late to the meeting point. Guests should arrive 15 minutes ahead of their scheduled departure time.

Cancelation Policy

This tour is subject to a 24-hour cancelation policy. If you wish to cancel or amend your booking, you can do so without charge by contacting us up to 24 hours in advance of your expected departure time.

Our guides are all trained to find the best spots. However, due to the nature of the event, this is not always possible.

Our guide will try his best to provide you with the best possible spots however, any personal interaction with the Pope is restricted.

Yes, there are restrooms available which are closed just prior to the Pope’s arrival.

• Instant Confirmation
• Mobile Voucher Accepted
• 24 Hour Cancellation Policy

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Papal Audience Private Tour

Papal Audience

Attending a papal audience in Vatican City is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that every Catholic and visitor should have on their bucket list. The papal audience is a chance to see the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, and receive his blessings. In this guide, we'll give you all the information you need to know to make the most of your papal audience experience.

Book Your Tour

What is a Papal Audience?

A papal audience is a gathering of pilgrims and tourists who come from all over the world to hear the Pope's message and receive his blessings. Except for August, during which the Pope is on vacation, a weekly audience is held by the Pope in St. Peter's Square. Although the event is open to the public, tickets must be obtained in advance to attend.

How to Get Tickets for a Papal Audience

To attend a papal audience , visitors need to obtain tickets in advance. One can obtain free tickets for the event through the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Visitors can apply for access through the Vatican's official website, or they can contact their local diocese or embassy. The tickets are usually released around two weeks before the event, and visitors should apply as early as possible as they are in high demand.

What to Expect at a Papal Audience

Visitors should arrive early in the morning to secure a good spot in St. Peter's Square. The square can accommodate up to 80,000 people, and it fills up quickly, so it's best to arrive early. Typically commencing at 10:30 am, the papal audience usually spans for around 90 minutes. The Pope will deliver a message in Italian, which is then translated into various languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese.

Dress Code and Etiquette

Visitors should dress appropriately for the papal audience, which means covering their shoulders and knees. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed, and visitors should avoid wearing anything that has offensive language or graphics. Visitors should also be respectful of Catholic traditions and should not eat, drink, or smoke during the audience.

Section 5: Tips for Attending a Papal Audience

Arrive early to secure a good spot in St. Peter's Square

Bring water and sunscreen, as it can get hot in the square

Be respectful of Catholic traditions and etiquette

Stay for the entire audience, as the Pope often gives his blessings at the end

Take pictures and videos, but remember to turn off your flash and be respectful of those around you

Conclusion:

Attending a papal audience in Vatican City is a unique and unforgettable experience that every Catholic and visitor should have on their bucket list. By following the tips and guidelines in this guide, you'll be able to make the most of your papal audience experience and receive the blessings of Pope Francis. Take advantage of this unique and rare opportunity to witness the leader of the Catholic Church in the flesh and not let it slip away. Apply for your tickets today and prepare for an unforgettable experience with the papal audience.

Papal Audience Tickets

Rome is a favoured destination for religious travellers worldwide as it is home to the centre of the Catholic Church. For many of these pilgrims, attending the weekly papal audience is a significant event, as it provides a chance to receive the Pope's blessings and see him in person. However, securing the necessary tickets is crucial for attending a papal audience, which requires careful planning. This article presents a comprehensive guide to obtaining papal audience tickets in Rome.

Getting Started:

It's important to note that the papal audience is held every Wednesday, either in St. Peter's Square or the Paul VI Audience Hall, depending on the time of year. The event usually starts at 10:30 AM and lasts for about two hours. To attend the papal audience, you will need to obtain a ticket in advance.

How to Get Papal Audience Tickets:

There are several ways to obtain papal audience tickets, including:

Through your home diocese: If you are a member of a Catholic church, you can contact your home diocese to see if they have tickets available. Many dioceses organize group tours to Rome that include attendance at the papal audience.

To obtain tickets for the weekly papal audience in Rome, you can book them online through the official website of the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Although the tickets are free of charge, you will be required to pay a handling fee of approximately 2 euros per ticket. The booking for the tickets opens two weeks before the event, and you will have to furnish your details, such as your passport number, during the booking process.

Tour operators: Many tour operators in Rome offer papal audience tickets as part of their packages. However, be aware that these tickets often come at a premium price, and you may not have the same level of access as those who obtain tickets through the official channels.

Tips for Attending the Papal Audience:

If you are lucky enough to secure a ticket to the papal audience, here are some tips to help you make the most of your experience:

Arrive early: The security checks can be long, so make sure to arrive at least an hour before the start time.

Dress appropriately: Keep in mind that this is a sacred occasion, hence it is essential to dress modestly and respectfully. Clothing such as shorts, sleeveless tops, and mini-skirts are considered inappropriate and should be avoided.

Bring snacks and water: Considering the length of the event, it is recommended to bring along some refreshments such as water and snacks.

Be respectful: Remember that a papal audience is a religious event, so be respectful of the traditions and practices of the Catholic Church.

Final Thoughts:

Attending the papal audience can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travellers, but it requires careful planning and preparation. This article provides valuable advice for securing papal audience tickets and maximizing your experience at this important event. Whether you are a religious pilgrim or a curious traveller, attending the papal audience in Rome is an unforgettable experience that should not be overlooked. Follow these tips to increase your chances of obtaining tickets and make the most of your time with the Pope.

General Papal Audience

A highly expected event by catholics faithful, who come from all over the world to meet Pope Francis, during the official Papal Audience that could be held in St. Peter's Square or in the Audience Hall. Being able to hear the words of the Holy Father and to see him so closely will be a great experience that will remain in your heart for a long time.

Starting time 7 15 am

Duration 2.30 hours

Multi-language Tour guide

Tour highlights

Guide languages:

Meeting point:

MEETING POINT

At 7 14 am in Via della Conciliazione, 40 (Caffè San Pietro)

Tour description

In the Catholic Church, the term General Audience indicates a particular form of audience with the Pope . It is open to anyone who wishes to participate.

Since it was introduced, the popes have always maintained it, becoming a very useful and appreciated form of meeting of the faithful with the pontiff.

The papal audience can be held in St. Peter's Square , or in the Audience Hall , also called Aula Nervi , depending on the season, weather conditions, and the number of participants.

The meeting point for this tour will be at 7.45 in Via della Conciliazione 40, where you are going to meet our professional local guide, who will give you more information about the audience, meeting place and time, before entering St. Peter’s square and starting the hearing.

This tour also includes a daily ticket for our Hop on Hop off bus .

What's included in the price?

Not included:, things to know.

The tour is available every Wednesday , in the morning, the day of the Papal Audience.

Duration : about 2,5 hours. 

This tour will not take place from July to August, March 13th, November 1st, December 25th 26th and 29th .

The Holy See may cancel certain dates of the hearing.

Before entrance you will pass the metal detector check; metal objects are not allowed.

Bottles, glass, alcoholic drinks, and spay are not allowed inside. 

Entrance to churches requires appropriate dress code (no shorts, no miniskirts or uncovered shoulders).

Bags and luggage are not allowed.

Cancellation policy

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Learn About the Papal Audience, How to Attend, Schedules & More

Book tickets for the papal audience.

Have you ever wanted to see the Pope in real life? The Papal Audience is a great opportunity to do so. Every Wednesday at St. Peter's Square , the Pope greets and addresses pilgrims from all over the world. It takes place at the Vatican and is open to all. Learn all there is to know about the Papal Audience, its significance, and how you can be a part of it.

Papal Audience | Quick Facts

• Also Known As: The General Audience
• Location: St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City
• Established: As early as 1939 
• Number of Visitors Per Year : 3 million

What is the Papal Audience?

The Papal Audience, also known as the General Audience, is a weekly event that takes place on Wednesday mornings, where the Pope greets and addresses a gathering of Christian pilgrims, devotees, and inspired visitors around St. Peter’s Square. The Papal Audience is seen as a way for the Pope to keep in personal touch with his followers and strengthen their faith through his messages. 

The Pope makes a reading and delivers a short sermon followed by the final prayer and a bestowal of Papal blessings. These are delivered in Italian, though, short summaries are provided in English and other languages. The General Audience was started as early as 1939 by Pope Pius XII with the intention of praying for newly married couples. It ceased temporarily during World War II and resumed again in 1963 under Pope Paul VI to include all the faithful while speaking on themes each week such as hope, faith, and charity.

How do I get Papal Audience Tickets?

In order to get tickets you will need to download and fill out a form from the Prefecture of the Papal Household and have it faxed to the Vatican. Once tickets are confirmed, you may collect them at the Bronze Door a day prior to the audience between 3 PM and 7 PM or between 7 AM and 10 AM on the morning of the audience.

You may also choose to email [email protected] with your request for tickets to the Pontifical North American College . Upon confirmation, you will be able to pick them up at the Trevi Fountain between 3 AM and 7 AM. 

Through the Swiss Guards

Three days prior to the audience, you have the option of picking up tickets directly from the Swiss Guards at the Bronze Door. However, the Swiss Guards have only a limited number of tickets on hand, therefore it is advisable to book tickets in advance.

Third-Party Vendors

You may also try authorized third-party agencies to book your tickets. Tickets are available online and can be easily purchased. It is perhaps the most convenient way to gain entry to the Papal Audience and get add-ons such as guided tours, and a viewing of the Vatican Gardens.

Plan Your Visit to Papal Audience

The General Audience with the Pope happens every Wednesday and usually begins at 9 AM. Security usually allows visitors in by 7:30 AM. The Pope’s official schedule is made known days ahead of the event. You can also refer to the Papal Audience calendar for dates when the event is held. 

There are times when the Pope is overseas or is engaged in some work in which case the Papal Audience will not be held for that week.

The Papal audience is held in the spacious St. Peter’s Square close to St. Peter’s Basilica . During the Winter and the rainy season, if weather conditions are unfavorable, the Papal audience is held at the Hall of The Pontifical Audiences, also called the Papal Hall, which can accommodate over 6000 visitors. 

During the Italian holiday period in August, the Pope may reside in his summer residence - Castel Gandolfo , in which case the gathering will be held there.

A casual dress code is followed during a Papal Audience since it happens outdoors. Being modestly dressed is still strongly advised. Shorts or dresses exposing the knees, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, and baseball caps inside the churches are not allowed. Ladies are required to cover up their shoulders if the meetings are held indoors.

Due to the heat, you may also want to bring sun hats, sunscreen, and water to keep yourself cool and protected. Men are permitted to wear hats throughout the Audience.

Staff at the Papal Audience prioritize seating for wheelchair users. Wheelchair users are invited to sit in a premium seating location to the right of the Pope’s speaking platform and may even get a chance to interact with the Pope after the event has concluded.

Photography is allowed at the Papal Audience. Upon his arrival, as the Pope ascends the speaking platform, you are allowed to greet the Pope at the discretion of security.

What to Expect During a Papal Audience?

People from all over the world visit the Vatican with the hope of seeing the Pope and listening to his words of wisdom. Experience the following while you’re there:

The Pope, also known as the Bishop of Rome and the Supreme Pontiff, is the leader of the Catholic Church. Deemed the spiritual successor of Saint Peter, the Pope is considered among Catholics to be the epitome of holiness, and seek his spiritual guidance in all matters. During the Papal Audience, the Pope is known to personally interact with the crowds, shaking hands with them and even signing autographs.

St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter's Square, also known as Piazza San Pietro in Italian, is a massive open space located in Vatican City where the Papal audience is usually held. The square was built in the mid-17th century and is known for its grandeur, symmetry, and stunning Baroque architecture. It is oval in shape and measures approximately 240 meters in length and 180 meters in width, surrounded by colonnades of 284 Doric pillars symbolizing the arms of the Church.

Sermon, Prayers, and Blessings

In his address to the faithful, the Pope will make a reading from the Gospels and disseminate small teachings in the form of a sermon based on the readings. The readings and the sermon will be summarized in various languages depending on the gathering. He will also say the Our Father in Latin. This is followed by the apostolic blessing which is given to the congregation, the sick, and loved ones.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Papal Audience in Vatican City

A. Yes, tickets are mandatory to attend the Papal Audience.

A. Tickets for the Papal audience can be bought online (link to MB page). Alternatively, you can secure the tickets by faxing the Vatican or by emailing the Pontifical North American College. You may also purchase them directly from the Swiss guards by the Bronze door three days prior to the event.

A. Although tickets are required for the Papal Audience, these tickets are absolutely free.

A. Tickets to attend the Papal Audience are always free. However, inclusions such as guided tours and access to other places of interest are chargeable.

A. Yes, you can cancel Papal audience tickets up to 48 hours before the it begins and get a full refund.

A. The Papal Audience is a weekly event where the Pope greets and addresses the gathering of the faithful in St. Peter’s Square.

A. The address by the Pope in a Papal Audience consists of a reading, a short sermon, the final prayers, and the papal blessing. It is attended by thousands.

A. The Papal Audience is usually held in St. Peter’s square of the Vatican. When the weather becomes cold or rainy, the Papal Audience is held indoors within the Papal Hall.

A. The construction of the Papal Hall was started in 1963 and inaugurated in 1971. It was designed by Italian engineer and architect Pier Luigi Nervi.

A. The Papal Audience starts every Wednesday morning between 9 AM and 10:30 AM. You may refer to the Pope’s official schedule for any changes in timings.

A. The Papal Audience takes about an hour and a half to complete but may extend to two hours.

A. At the Papal Audience, you will get a chance to see the Pope live. You can listen to his teaching and receive his blessings. You will also get a chance to see St. Peter’s square, a magnificent oval pavilion.

A. Casual dressing is recommended since the Papal audience is usually held outdoors. But be sure to dress modestly, covering knees and shoulders within the premises of the Vatican.

A. Yes, taking photos and selfies is permitted at a Papal Audience.

A. During his arrival and exit, the Pope meets and greets the public under strict security measures. Unless you are part of the special groups seated near the speaking platform like disabled visitors and newlyweds, you will not get a chance to meet the Pope personally.

A. Of course not! The pope invites visitors from all faiths to attend Papal Audiences.

A. You can reach Vatican city using the metro, train, or bus system in Rome. However, there is no public transport inside Vatican city. The best way to reach the Papal Audience is by walking.

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Starting with one of the most popular events at the Vatican, this tour will offer you the chance to see the Pope and avoid all the crowds in an exclusive visit to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. With an early bird meeting, the first stop is St. Peter’s Square or inside the Hall of Pope Paul VI (just when raining or on very cold days), where the Papal Audience will start around 9 am.

After that, you’ll be guided to the Vatican Museums for a private tour. With an experienced guide, you’ll have access to a famous gallery of masterpieces, with works by da Vinci, Bellini, Titian, Raphael’s rooms and much more.

The Sistine Chapel and its extraordinary ceiling also will be waiting for you, where you can contemplate Michelangelo’s work and all the grandeur of the Chapel’s interior.

Tour’s highlights: Papal Audience

• Chandelier Gallery
• Tapestry gallery
• Belvedere courtyard
• Visit the Hall of the Muses
• See the statue of Hercules
• Experience Constantine’s sarcophagus
• Discover the Vatican Map Gallery overlooking the Vatican Gardens
• Be in Raphael’s rooms
• Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel

***Observation: all tours are suitable for kids. Papal Audience is a group experience

MEETING POINT

At the Vatican Museum entrance

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VIP Papal Audience and Private Tour of the Best of the Vatican

Description.

When in Rome what better experience to have then a once in a lifetime audience with Pope Francis himself? Since his election, Pope Francis has earned a reputation for interacting more with the crowds who come to see him than any pope before him. As a result, the popularity of his Papal Audiences has risen dramatically. People from all over the world, travel to Rome to visit the Vatican City and the pope, and crowds can get as large as 100,000 people. Papal Audiences have become spirited events with gathered crowds encouraged to pray and sing along. Attending this energetic display of faith is a moving event not to be missed by any visitor to Rome.

After being picked up and taken to meet the tour operator assistant in St. Peter’s square the assistant will bring you to the official Vatican Gift store where you can purchase religious items to be blessed by the Holy Father during the ceremony so that you can get back home a piece of the experience with you.

Clients presenting the voucher for this tour at checkout will receive a 10% discount on all Vatican gift shop purchases (except stamps, coins, postcards, and books).

You will be accompanied inside St. Peter’s square, which is where the audience takes place, hand over your audience tickets to the Vatican guards, and secure seats in one of the best seating areas. Before the ceremony begins, you will receive an introduction to the history and traditions of the Papacy.

After the ceremony you will get to enjoy an infinite number of masterpieces like Michelangelo’s “Pietà” and “Last Judgment”, gorgeous works by Bernini, Raphael, Botticelli, Perugino, and other treasures all incredibly united under the roof of the world-renowned Vatican museums. The numerous popes that have lived in the Vatican continuously enriched it with different artworks but the unmissable ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and its sublime ‘Last Judgment” by Michelangelo are surely the real attraction. Your guide will then take you to the usually packed museum entrance skipping the check-in line, and access directly the metal detector control.

In the museums, you will admire the most beautiful ancient Roman statues, you will gasp at the length of the enormous Tapestry Hall, then through the Hall of the Painted Maps, you will enter the Sistine Chapel whose impact on history, religion, and visual arts has no equal in the world. At last, through an exclusive gallery directly linked to the Sistine Chapel, you will reach the largest Catholic church in the world: St. Peter’s Basilica. The greatness and care of details will overwhelm you. Highlights of the Basilica include Michelangelo’s Pieta’, the imposing 29-meter-tall Baldacchin by Bernini, and the mosaics that decorate the whole ceiling. After the tour ends, your tour guide will help you to arrange transportation back.

Meeting Point

At check-out, before your purchase is confirmed, you will be kindly asked to leave the written address of your accommodation or potential meeting point. This implies the name of the hotel, bed & breakfast or residence in which you will be staying as long as it is situated within the city centre. Such requirements are necessary for pick-up and private services only.

What's Included

• Private tour with your own professional English-speaking guide
• Free Papal audience tickets
• VIP pick-up in a luxury vehicle with an English-speaking driver
• Skip the line admission tickets to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica
• Transportation back to accommodation
• Optional gratuities

Languages Available

What you'll do.

• Meet and greet with professional driver at your accommodation
• Drive in a comfortable air conditioned vehicle to St. Peter's square
• Walk inside the official Vatican gift store
• The tour assistant will walk you inside St. Peter's square and accommodate you in the best available seats
• Receive a short introduction on the importance of Papal audiences and ceremonies
• Enjoy the Papal audience experience with Pope Francis!
• Visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
• See St. Peter's Basilica with skip-the-line tickets

What To Remember

• The tour guide will meet you at the start time and location you have indicated and will wait for a maximum of 30 minutes. Missed tours cannot be refunded.
• The tour operator is not responsible for last minute, unpredictable closures, strikes or union meetings. Nevertheless, the tour operator will be happy to offer customers an extended tour for the remaining time.
• Please remember to inform us if a member of your party needs wheelchair access.
• The tour is free of charge for children under the age of 6.
• A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women.
• Please note: Tours of the Basilica are not permitted on Wednesday mornings or when special papal ceremonies are taking place. In these cases, your guide will take you to St. Peter's Square and explain it from the outside. Security check is mandatory for everyone entering Vatican City. is mandatory for everyone entering Vatican City.

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Papal Audience and Guided Tour for St. Peter's Basilica

• Papal audience invitation (no skip the line)
• Guided tour of the St. Peter's Basilica (no skip the line)
• Assistance at the meeting point
• Vatican Gardens with open bus (if option selected)
• Hotel pick-up/drop-off
• Food & drinks
• Guided tour during Papal Audience
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• Wheelchair accessible
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• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• All visitors must pass through airport-style security. Please note that Papal audience is a very busy event and therefore it is possible that the wait at security may be up to 30 minutes.
• Dress code requiered: shoulders and knees has to be covered.
• The duration of the Vatican Gardens tour by minibus is about 45 minutes.
• For security reason, children up to 6 years old are not allowed on the open bus, no exceptions will be made
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
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◊ Papal Audience - Vatican Rome ◊

Information Service for Papal Audiences & Masses with POPE FRANCIS Papal Audience are held on Wednesdays if the Pope is in Rome, giving pilgrims and visitors the chance to "see the Pope" and receive the Papal Blessing or Apostolic Blessing from the successor of the Apostle Peter during their visit. The Audience with the Pope consists of small teachings and readings mainly in Italian but also in English, French, German, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese and sometimes other languages depending on groups visiting. The Pope will do a greeting in each language and special visiting groups, Choirs etc from various countries will get a mention. At the end of the Audience the Pope will pray together with those attending the Audience, the Our Father prayer in Latin. This Prayer is normally printed on the back of the Papal Audience Ticket. At the end of the Prayer as Head of the Catholic Church he will impart his Apostolic Blessing upon the crowd which also extends to loved ones that are sick and suffering and blesses any religious articles such as rosary beads that people have brought with them for the purpose of the blessing. The Papal Audience is usually scheduled to start at 9:00am. However, you will find that many people will arrive early (up to 3 hours before) to get a good seat. Security opens generally at 7:30am. In Summer the audience is usually held in St Peter's Square to accommodate the large crowds, there is a seating area near the front for those with tickets but it is still a first come first served basis so again to get a good seat you should arrive early. If you are unable to arrive early or get a ticket in advance, again, as the the audience is usually held in St. Peter's Square during the Summer season it is still possible to access the Square and participate as there is plenty of standing room at the back of the Square.

Pope Fracis has made it very clear that EVERYONE is welcome to attend (with or without a ticket) so please do not be discouraged from attending if you do not have a ticket.

◊ Papal Audience ◊

Papal Audiences During August Holidays and Papal Visits: Although the Pope holds the Audiences regularly on Wednesdays there are times when he may be on a Pastoral Visit around Italy or overseas or he may be enjoying the Italian holiday period in his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo during the month of August, in which case the Audiences will either not be going ahead or will be held at Castel Gandolfo. As the Vatican Offices are normally closed in August for the Italian Holiday period, tickets are not necessary for the August Audiences. The Vatican do list the dates of Audiences and events on their website and they normally update it periodically, usually 3 months ahead of any scheduled dates. Always Tickes for Papal Audience are entirely free.

◊ Pope on Sundays - Angelus Praying & Papal Blessing ◊

Other chances to see the Pope in Rome The other opportunity to see the Pope is on a sunday at 12 noon when he is in Rome. He will appear from the window of is apartment where he gives a short speech followed by the Angelus and ending with a blessing. He may also greet the crowds in various languages and the whole event usually lasts around15-20mins. He will impart the Apostolic Blessing at the end of the prayer. You DO NOT need tickets for the Sunday Angelus.

Papal Audiences

To request tickets for a Wednesday Audience please click here: AUDIENCE REQUEST FORM

About the papal audiences.

Most Wednesday mornings, the Holy Father gives a General Audience. All pilgrims who are in Rome and would like the opportunity to see and pray with the Holy Father are welcome to participate. The Audiences are normally held in St. Peter’s Square, which can hold about 10,000 pilgrims. During the very warm summer and cold winter months, the Audiences are moved indoors to he Paul VI Audience Hall, which can hold about 6,000 pilgrims. Please note that there are generally no Audiences during the month of July and on big Solemnities when the Holy Father is instead celebrating a public Mass. Because of the limited number of places, tickets are required to attend the Papal audience, but these tickets are always entirely free.

The Papal Audience is not a Mass, but rather a time of catechesis and prayer. Usually, it begins with a short reading from Sacred Scripture. After that, the Holy Father gives a homily based on the reading. When the Holy Father has finished his speech, shorter summaries of what he said are offered in eight major languages. The Audience then concludes with the Holy Father giving his Apostolic Blessing to all pilgrims who are present of following the Audience through social media. Following the Audience, some pilgrims might also have the opportunity to greet the Holy Father personally.

Couples who are newly married within the Catholic Church have a special opportunity to sit in the s posi novelli section at the General Audience, close to the Holy Father. You can find more information about how to participate as sposi novelli here .

Schedule for the Papal Audiences

As you might have seen on the Vatican website , the Holy Father’s official schedule is often only published a few days ahead of the event. In order to help you plan your pilgrimage, we have created a calendar of Papal Events which we expect will take place, based on the schedule from previous years and information from the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Although these events are not yet confirmed, we are happy to receive ticket requests for all these events. If the Audience for which you have requested tickets for is cancelled for some reason, we will contact you to let you know.

Please note that there are no General Audiences during the month of July.

Requesting Tickets

Tickets for the Papal Audiences must be requested through the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Since it can sometimes be a bit challenging to navigate the Vatican/Italian system, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have set up our office to assist American pilgrims with their ticket requests.

We kindly ask pilgrims to submit their requests to our office at least 2 weeks before the date of the Audience, since we then need to send our final request to the Prefecture of the Papal Household. If you contact us less than 2 weeks before the date of the Audience, we cannot submit a request for you, but we can add you to a reserve list in case we receive cancellations from other pilgrims.

To request tickets, please click here Once you have received a confirmation by email, the tickets for the General Audiences will be distributed at our office on Via dell Umilta, 30 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Tuesday afternoon before the Audience. Unfortunately, we are unable to email/fax/scan/mail tickets.

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Every Wednesday morning Pope Francis holds a General Audience open to the public with thousands of people from all over the World.

The Weekly Wednesdays Audience usually starts at 9:00am. The very popular Pope Francis is drawing in large crowds so if you would like to get a good seat you will need to arrive up to 3 hours before the audience begins. The audience lasts for around 1.1/2 - 2 hours. During the Audience the Pope will give speeches in various languages, the main languages being English, French, Spanish, German, Polish, Portuguese, Italian amongst others. English is usually the third language along and at the very end of the audience the Pope imparts a blessing upon the crowd which also extends to those at home that are sick or suffering an also any religious articles you have with such as Rosary beads etc. You can leave the audience before it finishes but if you wish to receive the blessing you will have to stay until end.

Official Calendar:

January 2023 | February 2023 | March 2023 | April 2023| May 2023 | June 2023 | July 2023 | August 2023 | September 2023 | October 2023 | November 2023 | December 2023

For information of upcoming Audiences click on the Official Calendar above

Please see the following link for the unofficial Papal schedule which can be used as a reference until the official schedule has been updated.

www.papalaudience.org/schedule

IF you need less than 10 tickets you can pick up your tickets with out reservation from the Swiss Guards at the " Bronze Door ".   You can collect your tickets 1 day before (not before) the papal audience/mass with the pope, or the morning of the audience, until 9:00am. (not Valid for Easter Midnight Mass or Christmas Evening Mass, more info Click Here  ).

If you need more than 10 tickets you should make a reservation in advance if possible. To reserve in advance   Click Here  

Tickets are entirely free! You can collect your tickets directly from the Swiss Guards in St. Peter's Square at the "Bronze Door" from 3pm till 7pm:

The other opportunity to see the Pope is on a Sunday at 12 noon when he is in Rome. He will appear from the window of is apartment where he gives a short speech followed by the Angelus and ending with a blessing He may also greet the crowds in various languages and the whole event usually lasts around15-20mins. He will impart the Apostolic Blessing at the end of the prayer.

You DO NOT need tickets for the Sunday Angelus.

Papal Masses:

Masses with the Pope at the Vatican can be celebrated in St Peters Basilica, in St Peter's square or both together depending on the celebration and the expected number of people attending.

Masses with the Pope at St Peter's Basilica:

Most of the masses from the Papal liturgical calendar at are celebrated at St Peters Basilica.

St Peter's Basilica has a huge capacity and can easily host more than 15.000 people which seems big enough for most of the Papal Masses. However there are some Masses when the Holy See is expecting a larger number of people and for those Masses they will use St Peters Square. For more details please see " Masses at St Peters Square". Normally the Holy see issues different kind of tickets for St Peters Basilica Masses. Tickets for Cardinals, Governors and Diplomats ,Bishops, Priests, special guests and public tickets. For most of the Masses with the Pope you will need to have a ticket. Tickets are always free. If you have a regular ticket to participate in a Papal Mass and you are looking for a good close up picture of the Pope or a location close to the Altar you will need to arrive early to the Mass. Don't forget that to attend these celebrations you will need to pass through security scanners (like the airport) and long lines are to be expected. We recommend you if you have a regular public ticket and you are looking for a good place to arrive 1- 3 hours before the scheduled start time.

Tickets for masses at St. Peters Basilica with the Pope:

If you need between 1 - 6 tickets you can normally get tickets directly from the Swiss Guards usually 1 day before the Mass: Click Here . However if it's a Popular Mass such as Christmas Eve or Easter you will need to reserve tickets in advance to guarantee availability. If you will need more than 6 tickets for any of the Masses you will definitely need to reserve in advance, and then collect your tickets usually 1 day before the event from the Prefecture of the Papal Household for more detail: Click Here .

Tickets for special guests: (Tickets for special guest or reparto speciale): These tickets giving you a special location at the event or Mass with the Pope. Normally these tickets are reserved only for religious guests through a reservation applied though the church or any other religious institution.

The tickets will be asked for at the entrance of the Mass. Remember: Tickets DOES NOT necessarily guarantee entrance or a seat. When the church /Square is full access will be denied even with your ticket. Only your arrival time will guarantee your access so come early..

Masses with the Pope at St. Peter Square

If the mass is celebrated in St Peter's Square, the number accommodated is much larger than the Church. St Peter's Square can host up to 80 000 people. So normally for the seated area you will need a ticket but mostly you can attend standing without a ticket. However there are big Masses such as important canonizations or the Urbi et Orbi blessing than attract huge numbers and St Peter's Square is not big enough.

Again, places will only be be guaranteed according your arrival time .

Easter Masses & Christmas Eve Masses are traditionally celebrated at St Peter's Basilica. Capacity is limited and it can be very hard sometimes to get tickets for these events so you must book far in advance, no less than 3 months usually.

Reservation Procedure:

The best way to get your ticket for Easter/Christmas Masses is to send a request from your country directly to the Vatican between 6 to 2 months in advance. If the number of your request is not very large, lets say a family numbering 2-6 tickets you will have a bigger chance of getting your tickets. Normally the Vatican will reply via email notifying you that they have received your request and where to take the letter at the Vatican to collect tickets. They will not confirm tickets have been issued until you go to the prefecture office for collection. There you will either receive your tickets. Again, the sooner you make you reservation the more chance there is of availability The smaller the number of tickets requested the higher the chance of having your request granted so we suggest don't book extra tickets unnecessarily. If you order a large number of tickets such a group or more than 10 tickets we recommend you to send the request together with a letter of your parish or some authority of the church. Tickets are collected at the Preffetura Vaticana located just after the "Bronze Doors" at St Peter's Basilica normally from 5-4 days days before the event from 8am till 6 or 7pm depending if it's winter or summer

TICKETS ARE ALWAYS FREE !!!

Papal audience & masses tips.

The Papal Audience is generally scheduled to start at 9.00am. However, you will find that most people will arrive early to get a good seat. Security opens between 7 - 7.30am, large numbers tend to arrive between 7:30am - 8.30am especially during high season when more people will be attending. In Summer the audience is usually held in St Peter's Square to accommodate the large crowds, there is a seating area near the front for those with tickets but it is still a first come first served basis so again to get a good seat you should arrive early. If you are unable to arrive early or get a ticket in advance, again as the the audience is usually held in St Peter's Square during the Summer season it is still possible to access the Square and participate as there is plenty of standing room.

Pope in summer time Holidays

Although the Pope holds the Audiences regularly on Wednesdays there are times when he may be on a Pastoral Visit around Italy or overseas or he may be enjoying the Italian holiday period in his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo during the month of August, in which case the Audiences will not be going ahead. The Vatican do list the dates of Audiences and events on their website and they normally update it periodically, usually 3 months ahead of any scheduled dates.

You can check the calendar of events by clicking the following link: http://www.vatican.va/various/prefettura/index_en.html

As Rome can get extremely hot in Summer, particularly June, July, August and the Audience is outside it is good to come prepared!. BRING HATS, SUN SCREEN AND WATER , you can also bring something to read or occupy yourself with while you wait for the Audience to start. You will need to pass through Security scanners similar to the airport to access the audience, it is advisable to bring only small bags or backpacks and Items such as pocket knives, corkscrews, scissors and similar objects will not be permitted through the checkpoint. Security opens between 8 - 8.30am.

In Winter the audience will be moved indoors to the Hall of Pope Paul VI located to the left of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican as you face the Church behind the Colonnade. Although there may be less people attending during winter the Hall can only accommodate a certain amount of people so again to get a good seat and to be guaranteed entrance you should arrive when security opens around 8 - 8.30am. They will not permit entrance even with tickets once the Hall is full.

Occasionally in the past during the Holiday period of August/early September the audience has been held in the Pope's Holiday Residence of Castel Gandolfo. Castel Gandolfo is around 1hr outside of Rome, it is possible to reach there by Public transport but both the buses and trains do not run very often. You can either take Metro line A to Anagnina Station and from there the Cotral bus to Castel Gandolfo. You would need to be at Anagnina by 8am to get a bus early enough to get you to the audience on time as again they run very infrequently, almost every 2hrs. The other option is taking a train from Termini Station and you will need to check the hours but the trains do run more often than the buses. The Castel Gandolfo train station is located at the bottom of the hill upon which you have the Pope's Palace, you should expect a fairly steep climb to the top.

CLICK ON THE ICON BELOW To See a Timetable Example Roma Termini (Train Station) to Castel Gandolfo "Down Hill" (add 40 minutes walking to the Top):

Alternatively the Pope may reside at Castel Gandolfo and be Helicoptered into Rome for the Audience and back again. Again, a good way to keep updated is to check the Vatican website, although they do make last minute changes!

http://www.vatican.va/various/prefettura/index_en.html

You can attend a regular mass at St Peter's Basilica celebrated by Priests from the Vatican (Not the Pope!) on a daily basis.

Monday - Saturday masses are:

7am ; 8am ; 9am ; (sometimes 10am) ; 11am 12pm and at 5pm.

Sunday morning Masses are:

7am ; 8am ; 9am ; *10.30am and 12pm. * The Sunday Solemn Mass is celebrated at 10.30am. To get a seat in the Solemn Mass you will need to be inside the Basilica by 9.30am. You will also need to make allowances for the time it takes to get through security into the church.

Sunday Afternoon Masses:

Start 4pm followed by Vespers at 5pm and concluding with the last mass of the day at around 6pm.

Pontifical Celebrations:

Papal Basilica of Saint Peter - Vatican

General Information: fax +39.06.698.85518 Sacristy +39.06.698.83712 Daily Mass Schedule: 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 17 hs. Sundays and Holiday Mass Schedule: 9 - 10.30 - 11.30 - 12.15 - 13 - 16 - 17.30 hs. Only for information concerning the celebration of Sacraments: Baptism of newborn babies, Confirmation of adults, Marriages Parish Office: fax +39.06.698.85793

Basilica of Saint John Lateran

Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 4 Sacristy +39.06.69886433 Parish Office +39.06.69886433 Mass Times: Winter Schedule: 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 17 (Sunday 17-18) Summer Schedule: 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 18

Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Via Liberiana, 27 Sacristy +39.06.483195 Parish Office - Via Carlo Alberto, 47 +39.06.4465836 Reception - Via Liberiana, 27 +39.06.4814287 Mass Times: Sunday: 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 18hs Monday-Saturday: 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11,15 - 12 - 18 hs

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Via Ostiense, 186 Sacristy +39.06.5410341/5410342/5410343 Parish Office +39.06.5410178 Mass Times: Winter Schedule: Sunday: 7 - 8 - 9 - 10.30 - 17.45 (Daylight saving) - 18 (standard time) Summer Schedule: Monday - Friday: 7 - 8 - 9 - 10.30 - 12 - 18

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