Blog - Life in Italy

What is a Papal Audience?
Papal audiences are an unique opportunity for catholic tourists coming to Rome to meet in person the Pope live together with a restricted number of people!

The audiences are held almost every Wednesday of the year with some exceptions and breaks and are held indoor during the winter (October to March) and outdoor in a gated area in front of the basilica when the weather allows it(usually from April to September).

How to attend a Papal Audience?
The Weekly Audience usually begins between 10am and 10.30am depending on the time of year, and the entrance are managed accordingly.

Lines form much earlier however by the gates at the entrance for security checks(controls are similar to airport screening).In order to get a good seat it's better to arrive between 8:30am and 9am.

The audience lasts about 1 hour and a half, during which time the Pope will give speeches in various languages including English.

At the end of the Audience he will impart the Apostolic Blessing.

How to buy/request tickets for a papal audience?
Tickets are free but you must reserve them in advance by writing or faxing your request (indicating your language, the dates of your visit, the number of people in your party, etc.) to:

Prefecture of the Papal Household Holy See (http://www.vatican.va/various/prefettura/index_en.html)
Phone: 06-69884857
Fax 06-69885863
Mon–Sat 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
00120 Città del Vaticano

Here is some more information on how to reserve tickets

And here you'll find the Tickets request Form (a microsoft word document) to apply for the Tickets

When can I attend a Papal Audience?
As previously said Papal Audience are held almost every Wednesday with some exceptions, check out the Calendar of the upcoming events presided by the Holy Father .

How much in advance should I book the Audience?
We recommend booking the Audience at least a 2 weeks in advance. You might be able to reserve tickets also with just a few days notice but due to the high number of requests you might miss the chance if applying last minute.

How and where can I pick up my tickets?
You can pick up the tickets yourself at the Prefecture office entrance, near the porta di bronzo (bronze door) under St. Peter’s right colonnade from 15:00 to 19:30 on the preceding day or on the morning of the audience from 8:00 to 10:30.

Is there a 'Dress Code' for the Papal Audience?
Yes, the Vatican dress code requires no shorts or tank tops. Women's shoulders must be covered.
It's advisable to dress conservatively even if you are one of hundreds. Women wear dark-colored dresses, with unrevealing necklines and long sleeves, and cover their heads. Men wear conservative business suits. In the reserved section some men will wear formal morning dress, and most women will be in black with gloves and mantillas.

Private Agencies to reserve a Papal Audience
There are a number of companies and associations that offer the service of requesting the tickets on your behalf to the Prefecture of the Papal Household, picking up at the church your tickets on the afternoon before the Audience and delivering your tickets to your accommodation.

You will be asked for a fee which is usually independent from the number of people in your party and you basically pay for the ticket pick-up and delivery service and not the tickets which are free.

Santa Susanna, home of the American Catholic Church in Rome, offers a means of aquiring tickets to Papal Masses and Papal Audiences by filling out a web form and it's one of the most trusted organizations.

There are also a number of other private companies that you can easily find on the Internet.

Papal Audiences and the Sunday Angelus

Do not confuse the The Sunday Angelus which is led by the Pope in Saint Peter's Square at 12 Noon (no tickets are required for this) and the Papal Audience which is for a more restricted number of people.

Papal Blessings
Papal Blessing are a much more restricted opportunity to meet the Pope compared to Papal Audiences but it still does not necessarily mean that you will meet the Pope alone. It's also in very high demand for weddings,wedding anniversaries and First Communions.

For those who live outside of Rome, it can be pretty difficult and it could take a minimum of 2 months or longer.

You can contact the Papal Office directly for a blessing at:

Apostolic Blessings Office of Papal Charities
Phone +39 06 6988 3135
Fax +39 06 6988 3132