is it true that after 12:30 lines at vatican are really short?
Yes, weekdays other than Wednesdays the lines are usually fairly short in the afternoon. Winter months, Nov-mid March the Vatican museum closes earlier so this tip doesn't apply.
Definitely stay away from the Vatican in the mroning, if you can. The afternoons sem best and the lines move quite quickly.
I agree. We were there on a Friday around 1pm about a month ago and we literally walked right in. I had heard horror stories about the lines so was very happy.
May have to define short. Were there at 1 pm on Tuesday, May 29th, and the was at least quarter mile long -- it did move quickly so the wait was only 45 minutes or so.