dress code

It may not be enforced everywhere but it's a respectful standard in Catholic churches. Have no idea what the Methodists do...

Other churches may not be as vigilant as St. Peter's in enforcing the dress code but they all ask for shoulders and knees to be covered. This is for men and women, boys and girls.. Be respectful and abide by their rules. Donna

The only other place I saw actively enforcing a dress code was St. Marks in Venice. I expect the standard is the same all over Italy but not enforced as rigorously at less visited churches.

the most vigorous churches in this regard are St. Peter's and St. Mark's, with guards at the door turning people away. However, many other churches in italy request this also. They're more tolerant of shorts, but not so with bare shoulders.

The most stringently enforced churches are those that are on Vatican soil (in the same way an embassy is considered the soil of the country it represents). This includes St. Anthony's Basilica in Padua and San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome. There doesn't seem to be consistent enforcement of the rules, however. Women bear the brunt of the enforcement, in my experience. Best to have a shawl or scarf just in case.