John Paul II's Tomb

You're right, I got my Popes confused. So the answer to the original question is: no, the tours don't include the tombs or grottos but you can easily visit them after the tour. Donna

No the tomb is not included but you can easily see it on your own. I believe they have moved it out of the grottos into the basilica. If you are going to book the museums tour that includes the basilica don't wait too long. It tends to sell out quickly. Donna

Was it John XXIII's body that was moved to the Basilica? That's what this website seems to say, http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Grottoes/JPII/Tomb%20of%20John%20Paul%20II.htm, and that John Paul II's tomb is in the Grotto.

Michael, once you enter St. Peter's Basilica after your Vatican tour most likely you will be on your own or your tour guide can direct you to the burial places of many Popes, including John Paul II's tomb. There are steps leading down underneath the Basilica and you just follow the people as they pass the tombs. I found it to be a very emotional experience. Although there is security down there insisting that no cameras take pictures but you will see, as well as, I did that some people took many pictures. Enjoy.

You can go down on your own after St. Peter's. FYI -We took the Scavi Tour under St. Peter's and they took us up to his tomb at the end of our Scavi Tour.

When we went under St. Peter's (not on a tour, we just followed the signs along the right side of the basilica down to the tombs), we were hurried thru and a lot of security was around JP II's tomb. We didn't realize who's tomb it was until we looked back. There was also a lot of pilgrims or parishioners praying in front of the tomb, I figure they don't want to disturb those in prayer so they hurry you thru. Good luck:)

The entry for the tombs is to the right of the basilica (as you face it from the piazza). The entry is right next to the line for the dome so be sure you get in the proper queue.

Agrees with Miguel, we went downstairs to the tombs after we came out of the Chapel. The lone security guard down there was at this tomb hurrying people along and giving dirty looks to anyone with a camera. It was still pretty cool to stand there for a couple of minutes and you can take your time around the rest of the tombs, some are pretty amazing.

There seems to be a number of responses, I can try to clear it up. If you consider the whole of the Vatican with St Peters as the center piece, Pope John Paul II is buried in the Crypt, directly under St Peters. To get there, you have several options. Most directly, you can enter, as mentioned, to the right of St Peters as you are facing it from the square. You would stay to the right of the line waiting to get into St Peters, then there will be a line for the Crypts and than a line for the Dome..... You will get in line and then shuffle through the crypt, seeing the tombs of many popes, including JP II. Yes there are guards there, but there are also two sections, one for people who want to stop and pray, and then another that is basically a line that they keep moving....If you take the Scavi Tour that was mentioned, it exits in the Crypt, then you can see the tomb then. If you are taking a tour of the Museum and the Sistine Chapel that exits or includes St Peters, then you will still need to exit and go through the crypt entrance. There used to be an entrance through St Peters, but I think that is long closed. It is though possible that there are tours that might include the crypt, you just need to get the details.