How to see the Pope in Rome?

How to see the Pope during your trip to Rome? The saying goes: “it’s like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope!”. Well, actually that it is not so easy, although it is not impossible! Full of obligations, the Pope is not always in the Vatican, so sometimes you will not have the honor of meeting him. However, if organized efficiently, it is possible to participate in the papal audience. Some readers have always asked me ‘how do I see the Pope?’ and today we are going to tell you how to do it! So, are you ready to know how to see the Pope in Rome? Here at Italy’s Dream Tourism you make the trip of your dreams!!! ALSO: see our “Accommodation in Italy – Tips for your holidays!”

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Introduction

The first thing that must be done is to check the Pope’s agenda to find out if he will be in Rome during the period that you are going there. With several obligations around the world, the Pope is very busy, but it is possible to access the pontiff’s agenda online, for that you can check this link. There are basically 3 main ways to find or see the Pope and you will see the following. Read also: What to visit near Rome? The best one day trip from Rome? and How to use the metro in Rome?

PLACES TO STAY IN ROME

The best information and tips for your stay in Rome!

1) How to see the Pope in Rome? AT THE PAPAL AUDIENCE

Thousands of people make the request to participate, so I suggest you to make the ‘reservation’ always at least 2 or 3 months in advance for you to be able to reconcile the dates of the audience and your trip. The event starts at 10 am and is FULL of people! The invitation in hand does not guarantee a seat, so if you want to sit in the reserved area, arrive early … Around 8 am! Also read How to get to Assisi from Rome? and How to go to Cassia from Rome?

But what is a Papal Audience?

Folks, contrary to what many people think, a Papal Audience is NOT A MASS! It is a meeting, a kind of gathering between the highest leader of the Catholic Church and his pilgrims and members of the church. Yes, there is the reading of several messages of faith, all translated into several languages, and, of course, the long-awaited blessing. But, let’s face it: just being there, close to the Pope, is already quite a blessing, isn’t it!?

It seems to be an impossible mission, but it is not!

To schedule a Papal Audience, simply follow the procedure below:

1) Access the Vatican City Hall website: Prefettura della Casa Pontifícia;

2) Click on the desired date available on the calendar on the right side of the screen and then on the UDIENZA GENERALE of the chosen date on the right side of the screen:

3) Fill in the requested data:

4) Click on I AM NOT A ROBOT (on the left side) and on INVIA RICHIESTA (blue button on the right side) to submit the request.

5) After that, just wait for the request to be approved, which will arrive by email.

Super Tip

When you receive the response (usually positive), you will need to show up at the Vatican the day before or on the day of the audience very early to collect your tickets. In the response they send you by email, they will inform you of the collection location and times, OK?!

Important to Know

On the day of the audience, there are two lines: for those who have an invitation and for those who do not! Of course, the priority is for those with the invitation in hands, but if you are lucky, you can enter without an invitation too, but it is a matter of chance, it is not guaranteed!

Where to get tickets?

Tickets for the Hearings (completely free) must be picked up at the Office located at the Bronze Gate (Praça de São Pedro, colonnade on the right side), from the Tuesday before the chosen Hearing, from 03:00 p.m to 07:00 pm hours, or on the day of the event, in the morning, starting at 07:30 a.m.

How about seeing the Pope in an easier way?

Listen to the Pope’s prayers in St. Peter’s Square, without the worry of having to go through the event alone. The local operator will book your ticket and select the best location so that you can fully enjoy this inspiring ceremony.

Click here to find out more and book!

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2) How to see the Pope in Rome? WATCHING ANGELUS

In my opinion this is the easiest and safest way, and the least complicated! 😉 Almost every Sunday, at noon, the pope appears in the window of St. Peter’s Basilica and gives the Sunday blessing, which usually lasts 20 minutes. You don’t need to ask for an invitation, just arrive early and wait for him to appear in the window. See how easy it is?

If you prefer an alternative, you can go to St. Peter’s Square on Wednesdays at 9:00 am. Every week, the General Audience takes place, and before that, it is not uncommon for the Pope to pass through the crowd shortly before the Audience, that is, around 8:30 am. It is important to remember that there is a security check for access to the square, so arrive early, before 7:00 am. The Audience usually ends around 11:30 am.

Learn more about Registered Blessings!

The Vatican also makes registered blessings available. What are they? Let me explain: they are blessings written on parchment with the Pope’s signature. Blessings are only available for special occasions such as baptisms, weddings, first communions, wedding anniversaries, etc. To learn more about the subject and the occasions benefiting from them, go to the Vatican website by clicking here; the request can be made in person, by fax or by mail! It takes a month to be ready and is sent by mail. Learn here how to Request the Pope’s Blessing.

3) How to see the Pope in Rome? IN LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

On important days such as Christmas, Easter, Corpus Christis, masses or celebrations take place in St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square or in other churches in Rome. In order to participate, you must follow exactly the same procedure as to participate in the Papal Audience.

Where to get tickets?

Tickets for the Celebrations (completely free) must be collected at the Pontifical Swiss Guard post, located at the Bronze Gate (St. Peter’s Square, colonnade on the right side), from the day before the Celebration, from 9:00 am until 07:00 p.m. Are you coming to Rome? Then take a look at the Pope’s agenda. Even if you are not a Catholic, the pope is part of Italian culture, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to see him in person!

IMPORTANT!!!

Always check the Pope’s schedule to find out if he is in Rome and if there will be audiences.
Be aware of the times of the year when the Vatican changes the location of the audiences!
In winter, especially on colder days, it is very common for audiences to be held in the Sala Delle Udienze di Paolo VI, that is, inside the Vatican headquarters. For this reason, I give you my advice: arrive early, because when the audience is held inside, the places are even more limited, due to space constraints. In this case, it is better to arrive early, because the number of people is limited and to get a place near the corridor where the Pope enters.
In the months of July and August, the hottest months in Italy, audiences ARE NOT HELD! Also for security reasons, since the city is packed with tourists. Therefore: check the days and times on the official website BEFORE your trip!

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Conclusion

How to see the Pope in Rome? A divine help is never enough, but the help of technology to receive this ‘blessing’ is even more awesome. ; ) So follow our advice on how to see the Pope in Rome and have a great trip!

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