On one of my trips to Rome, I was able to see the Pope speak from his window in St. Peter's Square.
Though I don't speak Italian, and didn't understand what he was saying, it was still an incredibly moving experience.
Below I'll share with you the ways you can see the Pope, including a few ways to see him for free.
You can also take a paid tour with a professional local guide who has either secured tickets for a papal audience or can take you to the best places to spot him.
One very important tip:
If you are planning to visit St. Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums, there is a dress code you must follow and other security regulations to keep in mind.
Most of the time, the Pope is in Vatican City.
There are times of the year when he will be away from the Vatican, so before making your plans, check his calendar on the Vatican website.
On Wednesdays and Sundays, you can attend a free event to at least see the Pope or hear him as well.
If you have seen pictures of the Pope at his window, that is the Sunday Angelus, whereas the Pope comes out on his balcony only for special masses
While you need a ticket for the Wednesday papal audiences, those tickets are free.
You will also need tickets for the special papal masses, and these are also free.
You don't need a ticket to see him at his window on Sundays.
This is when I saw him and there was a large crowd, as to be expected.
Don't let that discourage you! It is worth giving it a shot. I could see him only from a distance, but I am glad that I went.
If you do have the chance to see the Pope, don't expect to get close to him.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t attempt to reach out to him. If he wants to shake hands he will.
Please arrive with no other expectation than the possibility of seeing the Pope.
Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to meet the Pope if you are not a significant figure like Heads of State and high-up members of the clergy.
You can, however, see him speak as I explain below.
- Wednesday Papal Audiences
- Sunday Angelus
- Papal Masses
- St. Peter's Square + Papal Audience Tour
- Things to Do at St. Peter’s Basilica
- How to Visit the Vatican Museums
WEDNESDAY PAPAL AUDIENCE
On Wednesday mornings, a Papal Audience is held where the Pope speaks to the crowd.
To have a seat for a Papal Audience, you must request free tickets in advance.
Check his calendar before making plans. There are no Papal Audiences in August.
It’s fairly easy to get a ticket to a Wednesday Papal Audience as there are 2,000 seats.
You can opt to stand behind the seated section which does not require a ticket.
To get tickets, download and fill out a ticket request form from the Prefecture of the Papal Household and either email, fax or mail it back.
The time varies as to when you will receive confirmation that you have been granted tickets.
You need to pick up your tickets on the Tuesday before between 3:00 and 19:00 (7:00 pm) or at 7 am Wednesday.
Your confirmation email will have instructions on where to go.
Papal Audiences start at 9-ish and last for between 60-90 minutes on average.
Even with a ticket, seats are first-come, first-served, so arrive at least 2 hours early to get a good seat, like I did..
TIP: If you don't want to deal with requesting and picking up tickets or jockeying for a good spot in the crowd, you can take a guided tour for €39 and get instant tickets.
On the morning of the event, your guide will meet you with tickets, explain the significance of the event, bring you to a good seat and provide headphones to hear the Pope clearly.
SUNDAY ANGELUS
On Sundays at noon, the Pope speaks to the crowds in St. Peter's Square. You do not need a ticket to attend this event.
The Pope speaks from a window in his apartment which is on the top floor of the Apostolic Palace.
The Apostolic Palace is on the right side of St. Peter’s Square and is attached to St. Peter's Basilica.
In the picture below you can see the location of the Pope's window, designated by the red square.
A red flag is hung from his window, as you can see in the video below.
During the following 20 minutes, he gives a short speech followed by the Angelus and an Apostolic Blessing.
If you want a good view, make sure to arrive early and get a good spot.
This is one of the easiest ways to see the Pope in Vatican City.
Tip: When I went to the Sunday Angelus, it was in summer.
I learned the hard way that I should have worn sunscreen as the sun can be quite strong that time of year.
Also, bring a bottle of water!
PAPAL MASSES
Throughout the year, the Pope holds public mass in St. Peter's Square.
Papal masses are infrequent and reserved for special occasions and major holidays like Christmas and Easter.
The Pope delivers his blessing from the balcony of the central façade of St. Peter's Basilica.
Like the Papal Audience, you will need to request free tickets.
But unlike Papal Audience tickets, mass tickets are harder to get as they are very special occasions and tens of thousands of people attend.
If you have your heart set on attending a Papal Mass, we recommend that you look at the Pope's calendar of events before planning your trip to Rome.
It's wise to request tickets at least 6 months in advance of these events you want to attend to improve your chances of getting tickets.
PAPAL AUDIENCE TOURS
Many tour companies and local guides offer tours of St. Peter's Square which typically include Wednesday Papal Audience.
Your tour guide makes sure you have a good view of the Pope and also explains the Pope's role in Vatican City and the history of St. Peter's Basilica.
Some of these Papal Audience tours include pickup from participating hotels in Rome, making transportation easier.
If you're concerned that you won't be able to get a good spot or find the best location to experience a Papal audience, this is a great way to make that happen.
Consider one of the following tours to ensure you will see the Pope.
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