Bishop’s Office for US Visitors to the Vatican

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Welcome to the Bishop’s Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican!

Thousands of people come to Rome each year, hoping to see Pope Benedict XVI and participate in his liturgical celebrations. It is our desire to help you or your group of pilgrims enjoy a spiritually enriching visit to Rome, and we believe your participation in the Holy Father’s celebrations will make your pilgrimage more spiritually meaningful.

Please select from the following common questions to find out more information about various events and opportunities here in the Holy City:

FAQs

Can I see the Pope when I come to Rome?

We hope so! The Holy Father holds a General Audience every Wednesday in Vatican City at about 10:30 a.m. Public liturgies celebrated by the Holy Father include Canonization and Beatification Masses, as well as Masses for Solemn Liturgies, such as Christmas, New Year’s Day (Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God), Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday.

On Sundays and Holy Days at noon, the Holy Father appears at the window of his study to lead pilgrims in a Marian Prayer and to impart his blessing. During the summer months, the Holy Father imparts this Sunday blessing in the courtyard of his summer residence, at Castle Gandolfo.

Our Office is happy to help you know if and when the Holy Father is celebrating a Liturgy or imparting a blessing during your time in Rome.

Tickets are not required to attend the Holy Father’s Sunday Angelus (or Regina Caeli, during the Easter season) Prayer and blessing. Those desiring to receive this blessing can simply be in St. Peter’s Square by noon on Sunday.

Contact us about making reservations for upcoming papal events.

Please email us.

How can I get tickets to the Pope’s events?

Pastors and Bishops write us many letters of recommendation, and people write for themselves (see address, fax number, or email address below). Requests for participation in Papal Audiences and Papal Masses are hand delivered by our Office to the Vatican one week before the event is scheduled, so we appreciate if requests arrive in our Office at least two weeks in advance for proper processing. We are happy to help everyone who comes to our Office.

In our requests to the Vatican for Pilgrims, we like to indicate any special service to the Church. Groups are encouraged to give us the name of their parish, school, or organization, and group leader’s name, that we may request their group be publicly announced at the Audience.

Choirs who wish to sing for the Holy Father for one-half minute are kindly requested to give advance notice of their request.

Wednesday Audience: Newlyweds

A special section at the Holy Father’s Wednesday General Papal Audiences is reserved for couples who have been married in the Catholic Church for two months or less. Practicing Catholics may send us a letter, written by their priest, indicating their names, the date of their marriage, and the name of the Catholic Church in which they were married, to be seated in this section. To be admitted by the ushers, the newlyweds must bring with them a Catholic Sacramental marriage certificate. They are encouraged to wear their wedding attire for the audience.

Where do I go to get my tickets?

For participation in the Holy Father’s Wednesday General Papal Audiences, biglietti, or ticket invitations, are issued by the Vatican the morning prior to the Audience and can be picked up here at our Office on Via dell’Umilta, 30, on Tuesday afternoons prior to the Audience, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. and Wednesday mornings at 8:30. We do not deliver tickets, and we are not open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Ticket invitations for the Papal Masses, if held on a Sunday, are usually available by the Thursday or Friday prior to the Mass. It is not possible for tickets to be delivered. When you come to pick up your tickets, we are happy to give you a brief introduction to the Papal event and answer any questions you may have about it, including location, time, length, and nature.

We try to honor all requests. Ticket invitations are gratis, a gift of the Holy Father, and there is no charge for our service, which is sponsored by the:

Pontifical North American College
and the:
The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.

Is there a dress code?

Dress in good taste is requested. Shoulders must be covered. Shorts are not permitted, and skirts should fall in length below the knee. A head covering is not necessary, however, in the summer sun it may be helpful.

At what time are Masses at the major Basilicas of Rome?

Click here for a list of Masses at the major basilicas in Rome.

How do I arrange a tour of the Vatican Museum or Vatican Gardens?

Information about the Vatican Museums can be found here.

Information on Guided Tours of the Vatican Museums and Gardens can be found here.

Also http://www.vatican.va/ is a great source of information about the Vatican and the Holy Father.

How do I arrange a scavi tour?

The “Scavi” (“excavation” in English) is a very small area under St. Peter’s Basilica where the tomb of St. Peter was believed to be found. It can accommodate approximately 150 people per day (15 persons/group). When it became public domain via the Internet, thousands of people began requesting entrance. It is not possible to satisfy all of those requests. When your e-mail bounces back, or goes unanswered, it usually means that the quota has been filled. The Scavi wishes to deal directly with their own clients and will not permit third party interventions. Even though we would like to assist, they will not permit us to do so.

Their website can be found here.

Excavations Office:
Ufficio Scavi Fax 39.06.6987.3017
Fabbrica di San Pietro Tel. 39.06.6988.5318
00120 Citta del Vaticano E-MAIL scavi@fsp.va

There are also many other scavi (Catacombs) in Rome that are worth seeing. Visit www.catecombe.roma.it for an excellent introduction.

God bless you as you prepare for your pilgrimage.

Where can I stay in Rome?

Below are some lists of Religious Guest Houses that you may find helpful:

You may also download the documents in Microsoft Document format: pensioni, religious houses, more religious houses.

Our street address in Rome is Via dell’Umilta, 30. We are conveniently located in the historic center of Rome, between the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Venezia. We hope to assist all visitors to enjoy a spiritually rewarding visit to Rome!

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