After hearing about how I saw the pope just by chance recently (see my trip report (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4819994)), some friends and family are asking if they can go to Rome too to see the pope.

Does anyone know if there's a schedule of when the pope is likely to be in public?

Or advice on obtaining an audience...

The Pope typically makes at least a short appearance on the balcony over St Peter's Square to address the congregation on Holy Days. I think this may also be true on some Sundays.

Or advice on obtaining an audience...

The Pope gives audiences most Wednesday mornings but you don't have a prayer of getting one (excuse the pun) without making reservations at least two weeks in advance.

There are some agencies which specialize in the Vatican and have websites where you can make a reservation.

Get married in St. Peters(not that difficult to get organized)

I was at the Pope's first audience back at St. Peter's in September (he had been at his summer home) and we made no reservations, showed no tickets, just got there at 8 AM I think and waited in line. I was 2-3 m from the Pope when he drove by in the Fiat. I could have sat on the front row, but we chose to sit along the main aisle halfway back in the front section.

I had heard one needs tickets, but we didn't use any and no one checked for any.

No tickets for me either. Was all rather fortuitous - rock up to St Peter's Square, see there's a big crowd, move in closer and wait 20 minutes or so. Although turning up this late no seating, but standing position was about 2m from the Pope and popemobile.

Good directions here.

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

Theer are 2 opportunities to see the Pope every week when he's in town- the appearance on the balcony and in an auditorium. In March, 2003 my husband, son and I went to Rome and I followed this procedure for the weekly auditorium audience- the tickets were confirmed in advance and I picked them up when we got to the Vatican.

And here (http://www.reginaron.com/Rome%20Up/Vatican.htm) is a page from our Web site with pictures from the audience. (Non-commercial, no pop-ups.) John Paul II was impressive, even in the late stages of his illness. After the audience some people were permitted to go up on the stage and talk to him briefly- I have no idea how you get that privilege.

Dovster
We went with tickets that we got the day before at a church near the termini. Really didn't need them. The crowds for this new Pope get bigger and bigger. If you go, get there early or all you'll see is a big screen.

Also, Catholic newlyweds (up to a year after their marriage) may make special arrangements to have their marriages blessed by the pope. This may be out of date, as I only knew of it with JPII, not sure if Pope Benedict has continued it.

Also, Catholic newlyweds (up to a year after their marriage) may make special arrangements to have their marriages blessed by the pope. This may be out of date, as I only knew of it with JPII, not sure if Pope Benedict has continued it.

According to my earlier link, it's now 2 months after the marriage, you need to wear your wedding clothes, and you no longer get to meet the Pope personally.

One way to get an audience is to contact the office of your local Bishop and ask his help. Of course, it helps if you have had some previous contact with him, but he can help nevertheless.

Let him know when you will be in Rome. I believe the audiences are on Wednesdays, but that's memory.

Once you're in contact with him he will probably pass you off onto someone in Rome. The last time we were there we had to pick up our tickets at a property near the Fountain of Trevi. Even that was very specific. Not sure of the time, but they might have said, come at 11 am on Tuesday, or something like that.

I was in Rome in 1962 when John XXIII was Pope. Our local parish pastor was actually a monsignor who, coincidentally, supported a student priest at the American College in Rome. So he had bigtime contacts.

When we got to Rome we had to go to the American College to get our tickets and I remember we were asked how we were going to get to the audience. Then they offered to send a car. Well a Rolls Royce picked us up at our "Europe on $5. a Day" Pensione.

When we got to the Vatican we were taken inside the Vatican walls to an entrance near the sacristy. Then we were escorted into areas cordoned off with benches to sit on. We were in the 3rd row, and the only reason we weren't in the first row was time of arrival. There were Spanish royalty behind us (cause they arrived after we did.)

When John XXIII came in, he sat no more than about 20 feet from us. It was extraordinary.

So get in touch with your clergy. They can and will help.
Rita

Thanks for the tips. I'll pass these on so hopefully they can also get to see the pope.

The Pope gives audiences most Wednesday mornings but you don't have a prayer of getting one (excuse the pun) without making reservations at least two weeks in advance.

Well, yes and no. I've stayed in convent accomodations in Rome on two different visits there (John Paul II days), and they had free tickets for the Wednesday audience at breakfast that they gave to anyone that wanted them. I've got the same free tickets and attended two different beatification ceremonies in St. Peters Square, though I understand the current Pope is not officiating at those. You couldn't just walk into either of these events.

Well, yes and no. I've stayed in convent accomodations in Rome on two different visits there (John Paul II days), and they had free tickets for the Wednesday audience at breakfast that they gave to anyone that wanted them. I've got the same free tickets and attended two different beatification ceremonies in St. Peters Square, though I understand the current Pope is not officiating at those. You couldn't just walk into either of these events.

Yes, and our most current contact is the former Archbishop of Denver. My sister had a friend who was his travel agent. Judy (the friend) got us tickets when he became a Cardinal. This was one mighty event, with a reception to actually meet the new Cardinal, a lunch at the American College and a lot more.

But you don't need the bigtime contact to get to an audience.
Rita

Yes, I've been to the Vatican to see the last Pope a few years ago.

FWIW, the schedule for an audience can, and very often will change abruptly, so you might try to plan on being there for awhile if it's important to you. In my case, I spent about 10 days in Rome and the environs as I recall.

Mark

I've just been in Rome a week ago (Dec 9.-11th ). The Pope made an appearance from his Palace's window on Sunday at noon (exactly 12:00). We were told that this is true for every Sunday if he's in Rome. He was talking in Italian most of the time, praying in Latin and greeting the pilgrim in Italian, English, Polish (I think), Spanish and German. BUT he was so far away, that i couldn't recognize him without the video screens. However, quite an experience not to miss (esp. when your Catholic yourself).

Cheers,
Torsten

Can anyone comment authoritatively on how, if at all, the Holy Father has changed the procedures for the Wednesday audience from those of JPII? I had the privilege to see JPII three times, all variations of the themes mentioned here. Twice through an Archbishop who is now a Cardinal that I worked for and another through making a reservation ahead of time and picking up the ticket a day or two in advance. I don't expect anything has changed, but I was just wondering.

I was lucky to see Pope JPII 3 times. First, in Columbia, SC (yes-even JPII loves the Gamecocks!), second at the Vatican to have our marriage blessed and third in Tbilisi, Georgia in the late 1990's.

If you have the necessary diocesan connections you can get a good seat at the Wednesday general audience. The better connected can have a private audience where the pilgrim can have his/her photograph taken with the Pope.

Anyone can get a ticket to the weekly Wed audence through the Church that deals with the pilgrims for your home country in rome. For Americans it is Santa Sussanna right near the St. Regis. You just go before Wedsday, put your name on the list they keep in the church, and come back Tuesday night to pick up your tickets. Simple, and free. They also conduct a free tour each week of St. Peters.

cigarman's excellent tip reminded me of the wonderful Church of Santa Susanna which is the American church in Rome and run, I believe, by the Vincentians (correct me if I'm wrong). Tastes vary greatly, but I really like this Church and go there whenever I'm in Rome. There are several martyrs buried there, and it's on the site of the ancient house of the noble family from which Sta. Susanna came. Moreover, the interior is very interesting and shows the effects of medieval or renaissance patronage by an influential cardinal or two.

This also appears to be a wonderful resource/church for the ex-pat community in Rome. They have some great materials on living in and moving to Rome. Finally, Carroll O'Connor (Archie Bunker) and his wife were apparently fans and patrons of the Church as they are featured in some of the materials.

Anyway, if only to go to Mass in English when in Rome (thus violating the old saw!) this Church is worth a visit and is in an interesting part of the city.

This is a great reference, with a little luck I'll manage to finally visit in a year or so. Certainly a thread to bookmark!

.....

My wife and I "stumbled" upon this church this October. We wondered why so many people were entering it ,so we went in. There was a line of people who had "reservations' to see the Pope that Wednesday. I got in line and when I got to the priest who was despensing tickets I told him that I nhad no reservation. He said "No problem" and I got two. There is a suggested donation of 5E per ticket.
When we arrived ,we went through security and joined thousands of others in the courtyard. I was later told that there has been much larger crowds since this Pope started his Wed. viewings.
There are a couple huge screens that allow everyone to get a view.
You must arrive early to get close enough for a good view. There's probably 2,000-3,000 seats for about 20,000 people.

I am happy that others already know about Santa Susanna, the American Church in Rome. Following my own advice, I revisited their website which is extremely valuable, both for people merely visiting Rome and for those moving there (and everyone in between).

Among other things that the website deals with are: getting married in Rome, spending Christmas in Rome, getting to see the Pope at a private audience, seeing him at the public audience, a reliable car service to get from FCO into Rome, English (American dialect!) mass times, convents to rent rooms at (which I've done and which was GREAT and CHEAP) and a very great deal of general travel information which is extremely valuable and more detailed than any guidebook I've seen.

Check out the Santa Susanna website at www.santasusanna.org.

There were two important things that appear to be changing with Pope Benedict, at least according to the folks at Santa Susanna (see the FAQ section of the website) --

First, the website says that Benedict does not "greet newlyweds individually" as was the custom of John Paul II. I take this to mean that all newlyweds at a Wednesday audience move forward as a group to be photographed and greet the Pope, but I am by no means certain of this. Does anyone here have any recent experience? I remember marvelling at how many folks JPII greeted individually on the several occasions I saw him, especially given his health in recent years.

Second, again according to Santa Susanna, Pope Benedict has many fewer people in for private audiences in connection with mass in his chapel. Again, this is different than the custom under JPII. What precisely this means is not specified.

My wife and were in Rome during the Jubilee and went to the Vatican to see the musuems. As we got off the bus, St Peter's square was filled with a large crowd gathered to hear a speech. Curious, we worked our way into the crowd to see what was up. I went to take a picture of the goings on and through my telephoto lens I could see, seated on the dias behind the speaker, a man in a white skullcap. Now I may be protestant, but I was pretty sure there was only 1 guy who would be wearing a white hat in the Vatican!

Sure enough it was JP II. ^ He spoke briefly then got in his "popemobile" and drove down a cordoned off area and through the crowd. He passed 2 meters from my wife and I. We later learned that there was some sort of youth group celebration going on and the crowd was made up of youth ministries from all over the world. By far the highlight of our 3 week trip.

Suppose this story is a long way of saying, you may want to check if there are any large group activities going on when you are in Rome, the pontiff may speak to the group in public.

I also might mention the archeological tour offered below St. Peters. You have to go to the Scavi Office (past the Swiss guard, left of the front steps of St. Peters) and register, and they will call you when they can fit you in. In my case, they left a message at the convent I was staying at, and I got in within a day or two. No photographs are allowed, and the tours are offered in several languages. There was a fee for this (might have been around $10).

I found a thread on Trip Advisor (http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k233024-Scavi_tour_and_tour_of_vatican_and_St_Peters_same_ day_help-Rome_Lazio.html), as well as a thread on Fodors (http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34598458), that might be useful. Looks like you might be able to prebook via e-mail now.

Well, yes and no. I've stayed in convent accomodations in Rome on two different visits there (John Paul II days), and they had free tickets for the Wednesday audience at breakfast that they gave to anyone that wanted them. I've got the same free tickets and attended two different beatification ceremonies in St. Peters Square, though I understand the current Pope is not officiating at those. You couldn't just walk into either of these events.

We are going to Rome also in April. I am interested in staying in a convent when we are there and possibly also when we go t o Florence or Venice. Can you tell me where you stayed and how things were when you stayed there?

Patti

My wife and I "stumbled" upon this church this October. We wondered why so many people were entering it ,so we went in. There was a line of people who had "reservations' to see the Pope that Wednesday. I got in line and when I got to the priest who was despensing tickets I told him that I nhad no reservation. He said "No problem" and I got two. There is a suggested donation of 5E per ticket.
When we arrived ,we went through security and joined thousands of others in the courtyard. I was later told that there has been much larger crowds since this Pope started his Wed. viewings.
There are a couple huge screens that allow everyone to get a view.
You must arrive early to get close enough for a good view. There's probably 2,000-3,000 seats for about 20,000 people.

Last I read, reservations at least two weeks in advance are now suggested because they are more routinely hitting capacity.

We are going to Rome also in April. I am interested in staying in a convent when we are there and possibly also when we go t o Florence or Venice. Can you tell me where you stayed and how things were when you stayed there?

I had a private room, and the bathroom (also private) was down the hall (an entire wing of rooms). They served rolls and coffee/tea in the morning, and some type of sweet rolls on Sunday. You could even come back for lunch for an extra fee if you wanted to (did that one day--there was enough food to feed an army). You were given a door key when you checked in. I stayed at a Franciscan convent on Via Niccolo, which was a 7 minute walk to the front steps of St. Peters (it was along a back wall of Vatican City with a perfect view of the Dome). The last time I stayed there (must be 5 years ago now). I just sent them a U.S. check for $50 as a deposit a few months ahead, and they wrote back confirming the booking (they use the Vatican Bank and can deposit U.S. checks). I settled my bill in local currency on departure.

I found out about this particular convent through a travel guidebook, but since then have actually found out there is a book on convent and monastery accomodations in Italy called Bed and Blessings Italy. You might look for that at your library first (I wouldn't suggest buying it until you have a chance to look at it). My library can trade with others if they don't stock it. HERE (http://www.epinions.com/content_184600333956) is a review of it I found on line. I'd also look on the RickSteves web site as I think he has some material there on convent accomodations.

HERE (http://www.monasteriesofitaly.com/) is another book on monastery accomodations that is mentioned on Rick Steves site.

Before you travel make a call to your country's embassy to the Holy See. Very often the staff are incredibly helpful, and are very keen offer advice.

US visitors can request tickets for the General Audience with the Pope held on Wednesday through the:

Bishops’ Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican
Via Dell’Umilta 30
00178 Roma, Italia
Tel. 011-39-06-69-0011
FAX: 011-39-06-679-1448
email: nacvisoffrome@pnac.org

Tickets are usually picked up at the office, which is a block away from the Trevi Fountain, on Tuesday. The office is located at the Casa Santa Maria, the house for American priests doing graduate studies in Rome. Be sure to see the chapel, a hidden baroque gem in Rome.

For further infromation, including an email for the Scavi Tours, go to
http://www.pnac.org/general/visiting_vatican.htm

US visitors can request tickets for the General Audience with the Pope held on Wednesday through the:

Bishops’ Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican
Via Dell’Umilta 30
00178 Roma, Italia
Tel. 011-39-06-69-0011
FAX: 011-39-06-679-1448
email: nacvisoffrome@pnac.org

Tickets are usually picked up at the office, which is a block away from the Trevi Fountain, on Tuesday. The office is located at the Casa Santa Maria, the house for American priests doing graduate studies in Rome. Be sure to see the chapel, a hidden baroque gem in Rome.

For further infromation, including an email for the Scavi Tours, go to
http://www.pnac.org/general/visiting_vatican.htm

Cupertino,
Yes, that's the office where we picked up our tickets. They were lovely to me there. I arrived a bit early, not realizing that there were prescribed times for the ticket pickup, and because it was "cold" outside, they let me come in and sit in one of their parlors. It was very spare, and ancient feeling. And because of the historical feel alone, very comfortable.

The interior gardens were lovely and I would love to have spent more time there.

Incidentally, when we were in Rome 4 or so years ago for the elevation of some cardinals, we were invited to lunch at the American College (near the Vatican). While there we were invited to tour the rooftop patio which turned out to be the most magnificent, in-your-face view of St. Peter's dome. Not to mention other parts of the city. But picture a beautifully warm day with birds singing, and that incredible ediface as a backdrop.

Rita