Hello, everyone. We were pondering a papal audience, as we just found out that there is one available on May 20th, while we'll in Rome. I was wondering:
1 - Has anyone done this before, and have advice on the experience? Is it that much better than the Sunday Blessing?
2 - We can't get into town until Weds... but I've read you have to pick up the tickets on Tuesday. Does anyone know a reputable service that will pick them up for you? I see that there are some online! Thanks! Chris
Hello Chris,
The web site of Santa Susanna in Rome can help you get tickets. You can pick them up Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning at the church. Wonderful people to work with, very reassuring. I call them "saints in waiting" for how they handle requests to bring Roman Catholic Pilgrims close to the Holy Father. It's all there for you just submit the form online and you'll get a reply that your tickets will be waiting. We went in September of 06 and we'll be there in two weeks or so on March 11. The Pope has a wonderful quality of greatness. A man who can look out into a huge crowd and still be able to make eye contact with you. An experience not to be missed.
Best of Everything,
Jim
PS: It's really cool seeing the brides and grooms dressed in their wedding clothes waiting to be blessed by the Pope. It's a wonderful event!!
Hi Chris,
We were in Italy this past September, and we picked them up on Wednesday morning without a problem. We just notified them that we would be unable to pick them up until then, they replied via email confirming. We went back and forth about attending, or just booking a tour for a different day. We ended up spending two days at the Vatican/St.Peters and it was one of the highlights of the trip. One day in the audience followed by St. Peters and then the 2nd day at the Vatican.
Audrey
Thanks for the reply Audrey! Yeah, that's where we are ta right now - trying to decide. It would mean changing our plans (they just added the audience during our trip this week), but man I'm sure it would be an experience!
Was the Vatican crowded after the audience? :) (We're going in May.)
We ended up scheduling a tour of the Vatican with Angel Tours the next day because St Peters is closed during the papal blessing, and you never know how long it will be closed for. So, after we left the audience we grabbed something to eat, and went back to St Peters, and it really wasn't to crowded. Although our guide with Angel Tours told us that Wednesdays were a great day to do the tour with them, because they started out at the Vatican and ended in St Peters, and typically by the time they got there it was open again, and you beat all the crowds. We just didn't want to chance it. But, we spent a week in Rome, so we weren't to pressed for time to crame everything in. Hopefully, that helps!
Audrey
