Picking Up Tickets at Bronze Doors

I am not sure about line ups but remember to get to the Bronze Doors you have to clear the security line. This is the one line for access to the Basilica - so earlier would be better.

I too contacted the Vatican for tickets for a general audience. Then I became aware of The Pontifical North American College in Rome that is for the purpose of assisting pilgrims from North America w/tickets and information. WEBSITE Instead of going to the Bronze Doors on the morning of the Audience we went to their office (very close to Trevi Fountain) on a Tuesday afternoon between 3-5. This was much more convenient for us.
For the December 24th service I would recommend you email HERE. They can answer more specifically your question, possibly get tickets and have a easier ticket pick-up process.

Thanks for the info, Joni. We will have one travel bag each with us, on wheels, because our Vatican-area motel won't be open for check-in yet, and we'll have to transport our travel bags with us after departing our prior motel that morning. Will the bags be a problem, preventing us from clearing security, and do you know how early you can start lining up for the security clearance?

I suppose hubby could stand back and guard our bags as I go up to collect our tickets at the Bronze doors, Joni? That will work, I bet?

Thanks for the great info, Susan. I just now contacted them via their web site. What was the General Audience you attended like? Would you do it again? I'd love to hear all about your experience. Were you able to see the Pope up close?

Find out whether you need hubby's identification to pick up tickets. Probably not, but I would want to be sure.

We had tickets to the Wednesday General Audience but those are necessary only to sit. We were leaving Rome that morning so we knew we weren't going to be there the entire time. We chose to stand by the fencing about mid-way (by the beginning of the Bernini colonnade on the LEFT side). The Popemobile came by there 3 times - he was about 10 feet from us! This was a perfect spot - one of the jumbo-trons was right by us. We got there and cleared security at 8:30. We had to stand a while but this is how we got these great spots. I'm not Catholic but it was a lovely, serene atmosphere. I hope to go again and would recommend it. I really liked not having to get my tickets that morning - I didn't realize until getting there that I didn't need them.

Good idea, Zoe! Thanks for suggesting it.

How fun, Susan! Thanks for the great tip. I have purchased tickets to the Wednesday General Audience. We have to be there very early and listen to audios while waiting, but they say we'll get a seat very close to the Pope. Do you know whether the Pope rides around St. Peter's Square in his Popemobile on Christmas Day, after making his Urbi pronouncement out the window of the Vatican?

Susan, I wrote to the Visitor's Office, inquiring about picking up tickets near the Trevi Fountain or having them mailed to me, but this is the reply they sent: The fact that you have a confirmation of receiving tickets is a great blessing.  We do request tickets for pilgrims coming from the United States, but we cannot guarantee that all of our requests will be honored.  Therefore, I would suggest strongly that you go ahead and pick up your tickets at the Bronze door at the times indicated to you in the response you received from the Prefecture

Susan, I sent Sister Regina Marie this reply. Does anyone know the answer to my questions?

Thanks for the information, Sister Regina Marie.  Can you find out for us how early we could be in line at those bronze doors on December 22?  I am assuming there will be a huge line for them that morning, and we will first have to clear security? 

The doors open at 8; right?  So could we be in line as early as 7? How early does security start checking people through to the Bronze Doors?

It IS the date of December 22 that we can first obtain these tickets; right? Not the 21st of December?  I wasn't exactly sure from the way it is stated in the letter from the Prefecture. Can you find out for us for sure?  We'd hate to come this close and miss out...