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Pope John Paul llThe Pope and the Vatican

SPECIAL NOTICE RE: THE GENERAL AUDIENCES OF POPE BENEDICT XVI (updated April 30, 2008 at 3:30 PM):

News about the Wednesday Papal Audiences in 2008: The Wednesday Audiences are at 10:30 AM either in St. Peter's Square (Piazza di San Pietro) or in the Audience Hall, depending on the weather and the size of the crowd.  Tickets are necessary for the Audiences and can be ordered by clicking on "Tickets" above.  Please note that there is NO audience on July 16, 23, 30 and August 6.

PLEASE, PLEASE NOTE that when you write to us, we are the Church of Santa Susanna. We are not the Prefettura, the Papal Household, Archbishop Harvey's Office, or the US Bishops' Visitors Center. With the exception of the latter, to contact the other offices, please go to www.vatican.va. We have had a great many requests lately to arrange Baptisms, First Communions and Confirmations with the Pope 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.

You can click on Tickets to place your order. Regarding Sposi Novelli (newlywed) tickets: Newlyweds (within 8 weeks of your wedding) can sit in a special section, with or without their wedding attire AND must have their Wedding Certificate with them. You do get better seats with your wedding attire, however. Occasionally, just occasionaly, one or two couples have been turned away because they weren't wearing their wedding outfit! Unfortunately this sometimes has to do with the whims of the particular guards of the day, though officially they are supposed to let you into the Newlywed section. We wish we had more control over this, but unfortunately have little power, other than to complain. We thank you your patience and your devotion.

The Sunday Angelus is led by the Pope in Saint Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) at 12 Noon. Tickets are not required.

Pope Benedict XVI 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). TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PAPAL CELEBRATIONS, however we at Santa Susanna are not able to provide these tickets except for the Wednesday General Audiences. 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.

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