The
Pope and the Vatican
TICKETS FOR PAPAL AUDIENCES: Although we are not able to provide tickets for the Papal Holy Week Services, we are about to do so for the Wednesday General Audiences, at 10:30 AM. Because of the deluge of requests we have been receiving, we are slower than usual to respond, so please be patient. It has just been confirmed that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, will have General Audiences on the Wednesdays of May and June. Please know that thus far the crowds for these audiences have been enormous and so you need to go very early (3 hours is our recommendation) to get a good seat. In past years, there have been no audiences in July.
Please click here to order tickets.
We do not receive tickets for any other Papal events or liturgies, only the Wednesday General Audiences. Please do not ask us for tickets to the Christimas, Holy Week, Easter, Canonization or any other Masses and services at the which the Pope is the Presider. We are not able to acquire these tickets for you, only for the Wednesday audiences.
The Papal Audiences are held on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 AM either St. Peter's Square or in the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall (in August at Castel Gandolfo). To enter the Square (or the Audience Hall), you will have to go through security first (through the colonnade on either side, as directed by the guards.) Just follow the crowds and go early! We recommend that you arrive 3 hours early in order to get a good seat. The Audience is not a Mass, it is a time for pilgrims and visitors to greet, and listen to, the Pope. Pictures are allowed to be taken; religious articles will be blessed by the Pope during the Audience; it lasts about 1 ½ hours and includes prayers, singing, a brief homily, and blessings, all in different languages. DRESS appropriately (no shorts or sleeveless shirts) and don’t bring backpacks or knapsacks. If there is heavy rain, and having the audience outside in not possible, the attendees are split into two groups, one group in the Audience Hall and one group in the Basilica.
PLEASE, PLEASE NOTE that when you write to us, we are the Church of Santa Susanna. We are not the Prefettura, the Papal Household, or the US Bishops' Visitors Center. If you would like to contact the Prefettura, please go to www.vatican.va. We have had a great many requests lately to arrange Baptisms, First Communions and Confirmations with Pope Francis or at St. Peter's Basilica. We are unable to assist with any of these requests, and the Pope himself is not available to celebrate these sacraments, and we encourage you to celebrate them in your local parish community.
Because of the volume of requests we receive, we cannot always send you an email confirming your ticket request. If your email or fax went through, please presume that we have received your request and will put tickets aside for you. If you are concerned to re-confirm your request you can telephone us here in Rome, however this is NOT NECESSARY and we prefer that you do not call. Because the volume has increased this past year, we can only respond two or three weeks before your requested audience date. And please note that sometimes we do respond and because of your spam filters, your server rejects our emails. So just don't worry. And please, please, let us know if you are cancelling and do not double book with the Bishops Visitors Center. It really is not necessary.
Please click here to order tickets.
REGARDING NEWLYWED AUDIENCE TICKETS, please note that were informed in the Fall of 2011, that we will no longer be given Sposi Novelli (newlywed) tickets to distribute for the Papal Audiences. We are assuming that Pope Francis will also Newlywed Blessings as have his predecessors. If you would like these tickets, you will need to apply directly to the Prefect of the Papal Household, fax number (011)39.06.6988.5863, and then pick them up yourselves at the Bronze Doors to the right of St. Peter’s Basilica. Please remember, however, that to receive these tickets you need to have been married in a Catholic Church eight weeks or less on the day of the audience, and you will need to prove this with an authentic Church marriage certificate. We are very sad and sorry that we are no longer able to assist newlywed couples in obtaining these tickets.
The Sunday Angelus is led by the Pope in Saint Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) at 12 Noon. Tickets are not required.
Pope Francis continues the tradition of the Wednesday morning General Audience. We will continue to provide tickets for those who would like them. Please click on Tickets and follow the instructions, and note that we do not obtain tickets for Masses . (We will update this website with information regarding changes in the Holy Father's schedule. You can also check the Vatican website for updates (www.vatican.va). With the exception of AUGUST, TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PAPAL CELEBRATIONS, however we at Santa Susanna are able to provide tickets ONLY for the Wednesday General Audiences. We are not able to provide tickets for Papal Masses. ALL PAPAL AUDIENCE AND LITURGICAL CELEBRATION TICKETS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING THE SCAVI TICKETS: We cannot assist you in obtaining these. We have no influence or connections with this office (for the excavations below St. Peter's). Please do not write to us about this any more. If you do not hear back to them, there is always the possibility that they might have a space or two at the last minute, so try and visit their office when you are here. More information on the Scavi can be found in our Visitor's Information Section, click on tips.
For Mass times at the four basilicas, click on Basilicas. For Museum hours, including how to make reservations for the Scavi Tour, click on Museums. Please check all the other parts of this website to make your trip to Rome as enjoyable and exciting as possible.
As Romans Do 2010-2012 is still available for mailing (not by email however). This 144 page guide to Rome and Santa Susanna is a real treasure. It is dedicated to the Alumni of Santa Susanna Church and is filled with historical photos from our archives, as well as current photos from the past three years. Not only is it a parish handbook, it is also an excellent guide to visitors, pilgrims and new residents coming to Rome. It makes all kinds of recommendations for what to see and do, and provides opening times and costs for various museums and other places of interest. It also includes 8 pages of Tips on getting around the city while you are here. We would be happy to mail you a copy of this book. Please send Fr. Greg your name and address and we will mail you a copy. All we ask is that you consider sending us a donation to help us continue our ministry here at Santa Susanna.
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