Good morning! Has anyone had experience with visiting the Vatican City during a high profile visit? President Biden is visiting the Pope on 10/29 and we have a few activities planned at the museums on this day including the Necropolis tour. Are any areas typically closed off?
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16662 posts
I don't have firsthand experience but while you're waiting for someone who has, here's a review of some of the security measures when a former president visited a few years back (no politics intended.)
As the news of President Biden's visit is very recent, it may take just a little bit for security plans to be announced. I would guess that if your scavi visit will be cancelled or postponed, you'll hear soon from the Excavations Office. You might also contact them with your question?
Posted by
Portland
3645 posts
We have had two experiences in foreign cities when a V.I.P. Was visiting, Bush in Genoa and another American president (Clinton?) in Copenhagen. Based on those, I would say you can expect super high security in and around Vatican City and on the route his entourage will take to get there. We experienced site closures and rerouted transportation. You need to find out very specifically what’s what with the places you want to go. I would double and triple check, because not everyone will be well-informed. Maybe it should be a day for a trip outside the center, Ostia? Tivoli?
Posted by
St Pete, FL
214 posts
I have been to Rome about 10 times - in 2014 I was there during a special Catholic event - a coronation or something. Anyway, my Daughter and I couldn't get anywhere close to the Vatican, it was so crowded and really long lines. I was back in 2019 with my Wife - nothing special going on (early October), and it was crowded. If I go back again, I will make sure I get a before or after hours tour of Vatican - the museum was so crowded, it was my Wife's only activity she really didn't not enjoy (her first time there).
Glenn
Posted by
Freedonia
16497 posts
You can expect heavy security in Rome between the 29th and 31. Not only is Biden meeting the Pope but it's also a meeting of the G20.
Expect much of Rome to be locked down.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7251 posts
To me anyplace near where the President will be would be a mad house. My guess is the pickpockets will be out in force during the visit.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8176 posts
If there is any saving factor, the motorcade will approach the Vatican City and enter a side gate, and all activity will occur behind the walls...unless some special tours of the Sistine Chapel or St Peters are planned, other than traffic and more security people standing around, you may not be aware anything is going on.
With the G20 around, just expect more security, driving would be a pain, but it always is, and you won't be doing that anyway. Some public transport routes might be disrupted.