Pants required for teenager in Church?

They need not be full-length, but below the knee is a much safer bet, not to risk being turned away. Some people wear zip-off convertible pants or bring a sarong as an emergency cover, if either of those fashion choices fit his fancy.

Sometimes you can get away with shorts. It really depends. Small towns don't typically enforce the no exposed knee rule. But then big cities with more guards will care. Maybe he can wear a long pair that goes past his knees or pack pants just incase. You can always try but I wouldn't try at St Peters.

Many of the best known Italian churches, and the ones you probably want to visit, are probably not a good bet for shorts on your teenage son.

Some of the larger churches require men and boys to wear pants. St. Peter's basilica will turn men and boys away if they are not in pants. You can take your chances but if you want to guarantee their entry you should have them wear pants. Other churches will allow longer shorts but St. Peter's is very stict.

Donna

Thank you for the feedback.

Another way of looking at it is that it would be an excellent opportunity to enforce in your son the need to respect the culture and customs of foreign lands. Keeping his legs covered for a while is a simple way to do this.

I agree with Norma. And the zipoff pants legs might be the perfect compromise.

We just got home last night from Roma. We had not problems with my husbands shorts or my capris. Just make sure they are not short short and try & wear a scarf to cover your shoulders when going into the churches out of repect

Just remember that if you do get turned away at a church for wearing shorts, you won't be able to say "But barnmom said she didn't have a problem." It's up to you to decide if it's a chance you want to take.

Yes pants are probably required. I don't think he should try to go with just his underwear.

Shorts are generally permitted, if not too short (bermuda are ok)

I understand that the OP was asking a direct, concise question. And teenage headstrong-ness is involved too. But let's also ask, "What would the locals prefer we wear to their church, and what will make us look like polite Americans who know that we no longer dominate Europe, and haven't for 25 years ... " I realize that it's no longer "required" for Americans to take off their baseball caps in a fine restaurant at home, especially if they work in Financial Services and have lost a lot of their hair ....

Heck, I see teens and Dads keep their caps on during the National Anthem at ball games these days so if they're not respecting the flag they could care less about decorum elsewhere. Manners. Disappearing everywhere.