Rome audiences with the Pope at St. Peter's and Vatican

Audiences with the Pope in Rome

When the Pope is in Rome, he gives audiences every Wednesday at 10:30 am (sometimes at 10 am in the hot summer). It is held in the Paul VI Hall of Audiences, also called Sala Nervi (Nervi Hall), by the name of its architect. As you face the basilica, it is to the left, beyond the left arm of the Bernini's colonnade. Sometimes, when there is a very large audience, St. Peter's Basilica, or St. Peter's Square, the large esplanade embraced by Bernini's colonnade, are used instead.

Anyone can have access, yet you must obtain first a free ticket from the Prefecture (Prefettura) of the Papal Household, which is located past the "Bronze Door" (Porta di Bronzo in Italian), where the right arm of the colonnade begins (as you face the basilica). It is open Mon. - Sat. between 9 am and 1 pm.

Paul VI Hall of Audiences

Sometimes the office is not available on Wednesday, and on the other hand occasionally if there's enough room you can attend without a ticket.

You can also write ahead to the "Prefecture of the Papal household, 00120 Citta' del Vaticano" (tel. 06/69883017, dial 01139 from the USA). You must indicate your language, the dates of your visit, the n. of people of your party, and your address (or that of your hotel in Rome). You should then collect the tickets the day before, or on the same day, by presenting yourself at the specific window which is past the "Bronze door" (read above).

American Catholics, endowed with a letter of introduction from the parish priest, can also apply to the North American College, Via dell'Umilta' 30, 01187 Rome (tel. 06690011).

ANGELUS: At noon on Sunday, the pope also speaks briefly from the window of his apartment in the Angelicum Palace (it is the one after the right arm of the colonnade, as you face the basilica). The Pope also gives his blessing to the pilgrims.

In summer the Angelus is held in the papal residence of Castelgandolfo, one of the Roman Castles on the edge of the Lake Albano, 22 kilometers (13 miles from Rome). It is accessible with the blue buses of the Acotral company which you can take at the bus terminal adjacent to the Anagnina subway stop of line A. All the bus tour companies also organize the transport.

(Right): A placard with a tribute to Pope John Paul II ("Grazie, Padre Santo" - Thank you, Holy Father)

Rome street placard for Pope John Paul II