With an increasing number of pilgrims flocking to Rome this year, and the highly anticipated Jubilee of 2025 just around the corner, many are eager to witness the spiritual presence of Pope Francis in the heart of the Vatican. While it may seem like a daunting task, our guide will help you make the most of your visit and improve your chances of catching a glimpse of the Holy Father.
The Three Key Opportunities
Pope Francis often engages with the public during three significant events at the Vatican:
Wednesday General Audience: This event occurs every Wednesday at 9:00 am, either in St. Peter's Square or indoors at the Pope St. Paul VI Hall, depending on the weather. The Holy Father greets attendees from the famous pope mobile, delivers a catechesis, and concludes with blessings. Typically, the audience lasts around one and a half to two hours.
Sunday Angelus: The Pope delivers the Angelus address every Sunday at 12 noon. No tickets are required for this event. During the Angelus, Pope Francis provides a brief reflection on Sunday's Gospel, leads the Angelus prayer in Latin, offers blessings, and sends greetings to various groups while sharing his prayer intentions.
Holy Mass on Feast Days & Special Occasions: On these special days, the Holy Father celebrates Mass in either St. Peter's Basilica or St. Peter's Square. This includes occasions like the Canonization of New Saints or Concistory for the Election of New Cardinals.
Securing Your Spot
To ensure you have a chance to see the Pope, planning is essential. Start by checking the Vatican's official website for the Holy See's schedule of events. This will help you identify whether Pope Francis will be in the Vatican or on an international papal trip.
General Audience: Tickets are required and are available for free. You can request them in advance by sending an email to ordinanze@pontificalisdumus.va with the attached ticket request form. If you're already in Rome and haven't secured tickets, visit either the ticket office at the Sant'Anna gate or the Swiss Guards at the exit of St. Peter's Basilica. Be sure to arrive early, especially if the audience is held inside the Pope St. Paul VI Hall.
Sunday Angelus: No tickets are required for this event. Arrive 30 minutes early to pass through security. Afterward, you can easily enter St. Peter's Basilica.
Holy Mass on Feast Days & Special Occasions: Reservations are needed for tickets. Use the same process as General Audience tickets by emailing ordinanze@pontificalisdumus.va with the attached ticket request form. Ticket demand varies, so book early for events like the Easter Vigil and Christmas Vigil Masses.
A Special Note: If you are a priest visiting Rome, you can request in advance to concelebrate with the Pope during these events.
After the event, you can visit the Vatican's official website for a full transcript of the Holy Father's homily in your language or follow platforms like EWTN and Catholic News Agency for highlights and key takeaways from Pope Francis's message. Safe travels and a spiritually enriching experience in Rome!
Anthony Johnson is a filmmaker at the EWTN Vatican Bureau and is Senior Video Producer of the office's Projects Incubator. He is from San Jose, California and a graduate of Gonzaga University where he studied both Classical Civilizations and Broadcast Journalism. He joined EWTN as a Video Editor in 2017 for the "Vaticano" program, and still contributes to the program while working on a variety of multimedia initiatives and documentaries in Rome.
