If you are visiting the Vatican City for a few days and have reserved your tickets in advance, you can meet the Pope on Wednesdays at 10.30 at a special congregational meeting. Here the Pope bestows his blessing in several languages to his visitors in Nervi Hall, St. Peter’s Basilica or St. Peter’s square, depending on the crowds.
During the summer months when the Pope resides in Castel Gandolfo, a coastal town 15 miles southeast of Rome, he gives his benediction to the crowds there.
Basing your stay at a pretty holiday rental in Rome city can avail you of excellent tours around other attractions of Vatican City including the Vatican Museums and the tours beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. Here you can see the tombs of previous popes and saints’, including what is believed to be the burial site of St. Peter, the First Pope of the Catholic Church.
During the summer months when the Pope resides in Castel Gandolfo, a coastal town 15 miles southeast of Rome, he gives his benediction to the crowds there.
Basing your stay at a pretty holiday rental in Rome city can avail you of excellent tours around other attractions of Vatican City including the Vatican Museums and the tours beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. Here you can see the tombs of previous popes and saints’, including what is believed to be the burial site of St. Peter, the First Pope of the Catholic Church.
The 266th and current leader of the Catholic Church is called Pope Francis, who was elected to office on the 13th March 2013. He is the first Jesuit Pope to be chosen and is also the first to come from the Southern Hemisphere.
Before his election he was known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio and chose the name ‘Francis’ in honour of St. Francis of Assisi who was also a Jesuit.
He continues the treasured tradition of meeting with his followers every Wednesday and also says mass most Sundays in St. Peter’s square in the mornings or early afternoons. On Sunday’s, visitors with tickets can fill the square and see the pope saying mass and often ordaining new priests and names of new Saints into the Church
Before his election he was known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio and chose the name ‘Francis’ in honour of St. Francis of Assisi who was also a Jesuit.
He continues the treasured tradition of meeting with his followers every Wednesday and also says mass most Sundays in St. Peter’s square in the mornings or early afternoons. On Sunday’s, visitors with tickets can fill the square and see the pope saying mass and often ordaining new priests and names of new Saints into the Church
Tourists must write in advance to the Prefecture of the Papal Household stating their names, addresses, contact information and the number of tickets they require.
Tickets are completely free but it is highly recommended that they are reserved as soon as possible before your trip to Vatican City, preferably a month or so.
There are rules regarding dress code when visiting the Pope; no tank tops exposing bare shoulders or chest area and no shorts above the knee are allowed. Click here to book a papal visit!
This amazing opportunity is sure to enrich any visit to the unique spiritual Vatican City State and with careful planning; you can avoid standing in long queues for the chance to meet the Pope!
Tickets are completely free but it is highly recommended that they are reserved as soon as possible before your trip to Vatican City, preferably a month or so.
There are rules regarding dress code when visiting the Pope; no tank tops exposing bare shoulders or chest area and no shorts above the knee are allowed. Click here to book a papal visit!
This amazing opportunity is sure to enrich any visit to the unique spiritual Vatican City State and with careful planning; you can avoid standing in long queues for the chance to meet the Pope!
Photo credits
picture 1: Tillea / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Casa Rosada / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 3: Fczarnowski / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Tillea / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Casa Rosada / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 3: Fczarnowski / CC BY-SA 3.0