Papal Audience tickets

That is way too early, however, am curious where did you fax the request? Really didn't know anyone still required a fax anymore. You can e-mail Sansusanna.org and they supply tickets free for the Wednesday Audience or is this for a personal audience?

Faxed to the papal prefecture, per the instructions on the website. For a general audience.

You are way early. I just looked back at my correspondence and saw that I requested Oct 29 tickets on the website on Sept 19. They replied on Oct 15. This is a reasonable time frame. I vaguely remember something on the website about not requesting ticket earlier than about 6 weeks before the audience. There are plenty of tickets! You'll get yours.

OP here. Funny enough, I got a letter today from the Vatican telling me I'm all set and giving me instructions of where to go for my tickets!

If anyone has advice about the audience itself, if love to hear it.

Thanks!

I did it last month. There were long lines on either side of tour groups waiting to get into the secure area. However as I was by myself and managed to find a 3rd line directly in the center of the square where they hand wanded and checked bags. There was one small tour group there but it seemed like it was mostly just small groups. Once inside the secure area and in one of the railed off areas, you should grab a chair and put it beside the rails as this is where the Pope Mobile will travel. I was along the back rail. He seems to stop more in the corners. I noticed before he got there that there was a staff photographer with a large camera photo (not video camera) in the corner on the Pope side of the rail. And the Pope did stop there and kiss several babies. He did seem to face more to the other side of the rail from where I was at but several people tried to get into the section and Swiss Guard would not let them in. That side was a standing only area not the chair area. Get there early it is a massive amount of people. And it was chilly in the morning air with no sun so I would bring a jacket.

Go early; the facade of St Peter's is beautiful in the morning light. Pack light; without a bag you might avoid the lines at one of the machines. But most important: Find a row with a baby! He will stop there!

Thanks for the tips - especially about getting near a baby! - how early is "early"?

I'll have my elderly dad with me. Is there any kind of handicapped area? (I know it's a long shot)

I would say get there by 7 a.m. I agree with the baby thing. I was by a group from Argentina and thought that would give me a leg up but babies win.