The term having an “Audience with the Pope,” brings to mind the leader of the Catholic religion meeting behind closed doors with heads of state, important religious figures, or other powerful and influential people. However, travelers who happen to be in Rome on most Wednesdays throughout the year, can attend an “Audience with the Pope” in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Benedict regularly appears on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. to address those assembled there. Attending the audience can be just one part of a visit to museums and churches at Vatican City.
Papal Audience Tickets
During the Papal Audience, a portion of St. Peter’s Square is cordoned off and there are chairs where people can sit. Obtaining a ticket can be done in a number of ways. Americans who are visiting Rome can get tickets through the Church of Santa Susanna, the home of the American Church in Rome. Tickets can be ordered in advance online or by fax, at least two weeks before the scheduled date, but no more than 10 weeks. Tickets must be picked up at the Church either on Tuesday (the day before) or early Wednesday (the day of the Audience).
There is no charge for the tickets, but the Church does request a voluntary donation for each ticket.
A ticket gets the visitor into the seated area, but anyone can come into St. Peter’s Square during the Papal Audience and still get a good view of the Pope while being able to hear his voice as it is broadcast over loudspeakers.
Vatican City Dress Code
Visitors to Vatican City should be aware that there is a dress code requiring that both men and women have their legs and shoulders covered. In practice, this means that tank tops, shorts and short skirts are not allowed. Women who are wearing a tank top on a hot day should plan to bring a wrap. Men should plan to wear long pants. Keep in mind, the Vatican is a holy place to many people, and it is therefore important to show respect while there.
It is also advisable not to take knapsacks or backpacks if possible. They may be subject to being searched.
Seeing the Pope in St. Peter’s Square
While the Pope sits in one area to deliver his address, before doing so, he circles around the cordoned off area while standing in a vehicle. For most people, this will be their chance to get closest to the Pope in a physical sense - often within 50 feet or so.
Those who have seats and arrive too late to get near the front may want to consider sitting on the sides or at the back of the seating area, because those will be the closest places to the Pope when he circles around in the vehicle. People who do not have tickets and are outside the seated area in St. Peter’s Square, can still get a good view of the Pope when he comes around the back side of the seating area in the vehicle.
Once the vehicle has circled around the crowd, the Pope goes up to the stage and sits down to deliver his address in Italian. There are also other portions of the program. The entire event takes about 90 minutes.
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A visit to take in the atmosphere, art and history available at the Vatican is a tremendous opportunity. It can be even more special for those visiting on a Wednesday morning, when they get a chance to see the Pope in person.
Kathleen Curry - As a self-professed travel guru Kathleen Curry has spent many of her days and future retirement savings on travel. She has worked in the ...
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