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Every Wednesday when the Pope is in Rome, there is an audience with the Pope in the form of a General Audience.
You will find all the information about the Holy Father’s general audiences and Masses here.
When can I see the Pope?
Noon prayer: On Sundays and holidays at 12 noon, the Pope gives an address from a window of the Apostolic Palace and ends with a prayer. Outside of Eastertide, the Angelus is prayed; from Easter to Pentecost, the Regina Caeli is prayed instead. The address can be viewed from St. Peter’s Square without reservations.
Masses: There is a fixed calendar of Masses that the Holy Father usually attends. In addition to Easter, Pentecost and Christmas, these are June 29, August 15, November 1 and December 8. In addition, some Masses are announced at short notice.
Audiences: he Pope’s general audiences usually take place on Wednesday mornings when the Pope is in Rome. There are generally no audiences in July. No tickets are required for audiences in August. However, groups should still register so that the group can be mentioned by name.
How can I obtain tickets for the papal audience
Free tickets are required to attend the papal audience. Tickets can be requested from the Prefecture of the Papal Household several months in advance, but no later than a few days before the audience. Please note that audiences can be cancelled at short notice – check the Vatican’s website shortly before your visit to confirm the schedule.
For guided tours, the tour guide will take care of the tickets and assist you with any questions you may have.
Special tickets
In some cases, it is possible to apply for special tickets. The necessary information can be entered when making the reservation.
Newlyweds can get special seats for up to 3 months after their wedding. To do so, they must appear in wedding attire and bring a copy of their church wedding certificate.
Useful information about the Papal Audience
When should I be there for the papal audience?
The audience begins at 10 a.m. Admission begins at 7:30 a.m. until the square or the hall is full. For good seats, line up at 7 a.m.
What should I be aware of at the papal audience?
There will be the usual security check at the entrance. Glass and metal bottles and other dangerous objects such as sticks, scissors, or knives are prohibited. Plastic bottles are not allowed near the Pope. The dress code must also be observed: shoulders and knees must be covered!
Where is the papal audience held?
The Pope’s general audiences take place either in the Audience Hall or in St. Peter’s Square. The entrance to the Audience Hall is under the left colonnade. From November to early March and in August, audiences are usually held in the Audience Hall, otherwise in St. Peter’s Square. In bad weather, audiences are moved from St. Peter’s Square to the Audience Hall.
How long does the papal audience last?
The audience begins at 10 a.m. and usually lasts about 45 minutes. At around 9:45 a.m. the Pope arrives and drives through the crowd in the Popemobile. After his address in several languages, the audience ends with the papal blessing.
How do I get tickets for papal masses?
For public masses with Pope Leo held in St. Peter’s Basilica or St. Peter’s Square, tickets can be requested directly from the Prefecture of the Papal Household. However, tickets are often allocated well in advance.
Opening Hours of St. Peter’s Basilica on the Day of the Audience
During the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica will remain closed until the end of the Audience. The dome of St. Peter’s will also be closed. During the audience in the audience hall, the basilica and the dome will remain open.
The Vatican on livestream
Vatican Media broadcasts live all the Pope’s Masses, even when he is traveling, as well as all public events such as the Sunday Angelus and the general audiences. Click here for the Vatican Media YouTube channel:
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Hello, why is it not possible to book the papal audience on Wenesday November 1?
Hi Albert, November 1 is a church and state holiday in Italy. Therefore, no Papal Audience takes place, but the Pope prays the Angelus at noon and he can be seen from St. Peter’s Square.
Thank you for the article and the tips in order to attend the papal audience ! I was wondering how to buy ticket, so now I will know. It will be very helpfull to me for my next visit to Rome.