Papal Audience or Angelus?
The Pope addresses the public twice a week when he’s in Rome: on Wednesday mornings for the Papal Audience (also called General Audience), and on Sunday mornings (and holidays) for the Angelus. Both are always free to the public, although you’ll need to get tickets beforehand if you want to attend the Papal Audience.
The Papal Audience Service
In the summer, papal audience is scheduled for 10:30am even if very often began at 9,30. Having a ticket doesn’t guarantee seating or entrance if you arrive late, so plan on getting a very early start (i suggest 7,30) and be ready to wait for a couple hours before the ceremony begins. The service will begin with a ride around in his Popemobile, kissing some babies who are lucky to be close enough. Then he gives a themed speech in several different languages, followed by a homily and will conclude the ceremony and bless families, children, and religious items like rosaries and bibles.
Private Tour: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica
Getting Tickets for Papal Audience
If you need less than 10 tickets you can normally pick up tickets without a reservation from the Swiss Guards at the “Bronze Doors” located just after security at St Peter’s Basilica. You can pick up tickets the day before the audience after 3pm until 7.00pm (Summer) until 6pm (Winter). Or you can pick up tickets on the day of the mass from 7:00am until 10:00am. You must collect your tickets one day before (not sooner) for the papal audience/mass with the pope subject to availability without a reservation. If you prefer to pre-book tickets and if you need more than 10 tickets you will need to make a reservation in advance you can contact the Vatican offices, you can use the icon below and download a form: You will be provided with details of when and how to collect your tickets by the Vatican or if it is short notice again the tickets should be picked up from the Vatican Offices located at the Bronze Doors.
ANGELUS
The second chance you have to see the Pope in Rome, and are here on Sunday, is the Angelus, the Mass celebrated by the Holy Father every sunday at Saint Peter’s Square. Pope Francis will appear from the window of an apartment there. He gives a short speech followed by the Angelus, ending with an Apostolic blessing. He may also greet the crowd in various languages. The blessing, including the various greetings, usually lasts a maximum of 20 minutes. Pope Francis chose not to live in the official papal residence in the Apostolic Palace. Instead, he lives in the Vatican guest house. However, the Pope does appear at the window of the Apostolic Palace for the Sunday Angelus.
Getting there
On the Rome Metro, take Line A to the Ottaviano-San Pietro station. From there, it’s just a 5-minute walk along the Via di Porta Angelica to St. Peter’s Square. You’ll want the square’s East entrance, which won’t be hard to find—it’s the second entrance that you’ll pass if you follow the Via di Porta Angelica. And if all else fails, just follow the crowds!
