Papal Audiences?

[Queenzena]

I was told that on Wednesdays the Pope holds audiences in St. Peter's. does anyone know if that is true, as we'll be in Rome on a Wednesday and might see the "Big Guy!"

[Friscorays]

This site has some info on upcoming dates and I think you can request tickets from them as well (free):

 

http://www.santasusanna.org/popeVatican/popeVatican.html

 

We asked for (and received) tickets for Good Friday Mass by contacting the US Bishops Office in Rome although I can't get their site to work for me at the moment:

 

http://www.pnac.org

[agabbymama]

Sure is. You only need tickets if you want to sit up front. There were thousands of people in St. Peter's square just standing, walking about taking photos and you didn't need a ticket for that. They had metal detectors set up, you walked through those put your purses on a conveyor (like the airport) and you were in. We spent about an hour listening, then made our way to the Ho Ho bus. You can stay for hours if you want, or leave if you want. They also have huge monitors so everyone in the square can see and hear the Pope. I'm not even Catholic, but it is quite a thrill to see him and all the throngs of people.

[eh2zed]

There are two types of rerserved tickets. One is for an area immediately to the left of the stage and the other is for the large area in front. Both are first come first served seating. Behind the out front section anyone can stand without tickets but that is somne distance from the stage and the Pope will be just a distant image. The large screens are needed at that point. Tickets for the reserved section to the left of the stage are kind of VIP. Santa Susanna gives out the other section tickets. www.stuardtclarkesrome.com has good info on how to get tickets.

[sea-explorer]

Well yes, as previously mentionned, audiences take place on most Wednesdays unless the Pope is on tour elsewhere etc.

 

However, it does depend on when you will be there. In the Winter, up until March perhaps, the audiences are held in the hall , not the square, and for this you definately need a ticket. They start at 10.30am, but you really need to be there much earlier. Also, in July & August the Pope is away at his Summer residence, Castel Gandolfo & then the audiences are held here, not St Peter's.

 

Not sure if you will be on a cruise stop with just the Wednesday in Rome, or if you will have more time there. If you are also there on Tuesday, or maybe before, you can easily pick up the free tickets from the office to the right of the colonade. Just ask some-one on security or a swiss guard & they will point you in the right direction.

 

A little info on this site here too.

 

http://goeurope.about.com/cs/rome/qt/papal_event.htm