Wednesday papal audience

He speaks in the morning 10:00 or 10:30. It lasts about 1 and 1 half hours. It may be crowded on that afternoon to go to the vatican museum as many others will probably have the same idea. I would go and see the pope and the basilica and then return another day to tour the museum. have fun!!

When we were last in Rome, in May 2004, the pope was appearing at the "window" to speak on Sunday mornings at 11. He wished me Happy Mother's Day! ....along with about 10,000 other mothers! It was one of the highlights of our trip, and I'm not even Catholic!

Next week the Pope will be in the USA! During the summer he takes a “break” from the Vatican scene, usually from July to late September…

Otherwise he will do the audience at 10:30 AM every Wednesday. If the weather is inclement (or cold) he will first go St. Peter’s Basilica and do a blessing–from there he heads over to the Pope Paul VI Auditorium behind the Vatican Post Office. Those sessions are by invitation only. The auditorium seats a little more than 6,000 people.

If the weather is GOOD, than he meets the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, under a specially built canopy. This also starts at 10:30 AM and you must have a pass to get in–at least at first! After everyone with passes is in & seated, & after the service starts, the Carabeneria guarding the gates pretty much let anyone in for the standing room only (at least every time I’ve gone that’s how it’s happened outside!).

The services are usually over by 12:15 – 12:30.

Thanks to everyone who responded. I went on the santasusanna website and reserved tickets to see the Pope.

I was at the Papal Audience last week. We had reserved tickets through a tour group, and we arrived at 8am to get good seats and go through security. Thankfully, the weather was okay and the people watching was interesting because the Pope did not arrive until 10:30. The entire event lasted more than two hours. We ate a quick lunch and went back to the Vatican Museum entrance. We had no wait, I think because many others were lingering around after the Audience and taking longer lunches than we did.

I know this is going to sound awful...but do you have to stay for the full 2 hours (papal audience)- or can you leave early to go tour in the Vatican museums? Since our time is limited, I don't know if I want to be there for the full 2 hours.

Ryan - if it's outside people come and go throughout the service... If it's inside, well that's a little more difficult... but you can do it!

After 2 hours outside - in a driving rain - we left the Easter Service... it went on for another 25 minutes but we were just soaked and miserable!!!

Ciao,
Ron

What I didn't say in my initial response is that we did leave early! After being there for going on four hours, people often had to get up to use the WCs, so we didn't look too conspicuous walking out.

As a Catholic, I would like to see the Pope but at the same time I don't feel the need to gaze on him for a long period of time. We are going to be in Rome on a Wednesday, the Pope appears on a Wednesday, it seemed like a no-brainer to me to try to work his appearance into our visit. And if we can do that and still avoid lines getting into the museums and only allocate one day to do all that, to me that'll work.

Thanks, Ryan for bringing that up. I hadn't thought about the possibility of leaving after a while and then heading to the museums.

Okay, I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but if someone is a non-Catholic, why even bother going through making reservations for tickets and spending that many hours to see/hear the Pope?

Is this just one of those "to do-to see" things on the tourist list? This is a question for most here, not only David.

Eli, as a resident here and a frequent “visitor” at the Pope’s blessing and services, I try and articulate my reasons. Let me say for the record I am not Catholic.

First, the Pope is a Head of State. He speaks for 1 billion people. His messages are carried worldwide on Vatican TV and Radio. Certainly there is importance and relevance. I don’t always agree with the message… but to be able to hear a world leader speak “live” WEEKLY is almost unique!

I’ve been to mass in almost 30 churches here in Rome – and each one is different. Many times as I’m wandering through a church I’ve been informed that mass is about to begin, can I move over there, or would I like to stay – I ALWAYS STAY, accepting the parishioner’s invitation. The passion that each priest puts into their daily mass is mesmerizing, and I don’t speak a word of Italian! Remember, the Pope is often not the ONLY speaker on Wednesdays and Sundays!

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There is a passion in the Roman Catholic Church here you do not see in other parts of the world. And the Pope epitomizes that. Yes, there is a lot of Pomp, but you have to understand what it symbolizes…

At the Wednesday services (10:30 AM) there is a mass, next the Pope speaks from a written text, often offering church viewpoints and opinions. When I’m with Italian friends, they translate the text almost like a blow-by-blow account, passion rising in their voices (either in support of or against!).

At the completion of the readings the Pope begins to bless countries, churches, and local priests in THEIR language. He will do the Spanish, the Germans, etc… and every group cheers loudly. The service turns into a pep rally – each group trying to outdo the other. On one Wednesday, the Dutch group, loaded with balloons, sang their entire National Anthem when the Pope recognized them.

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And of course, he often does the Italians last and its’ a mighty cheer. So a church service turns into a patriotic and passionate event – where else can you foster that much multi-national pride? Perhaps at the Olympics every four years? Well, we get it here weekly in St. Peter’s Square…

The Pope has a voice in International Affairs, and although we differ in opinion in some discussions, I find the intensity, passion, and commitment of the “ceremony” rewarding… That’s why I go, and take my friends when they come to town. I spent 3 hours there on Easter Sunday in the driving rain… and I’d do it again.

Some things you have to see to try and understand, “why is this relevant, important, etc.” It helps broaden your understanding and ability to accept other’s point of view –

My Italian friends and I “debate” each day we leave the square! So it does generate dialogue and interest in the church…

When we went on a Wednesday to see the Pope, (John Paul, then) we didn't know about the passes. So, when the guards wouldn't let us past the ropes we saw large tour groups being let in way across the square. We made our way there and attached ourselves to the last and only tour group left. Unfortunately, it was a group from Hong Kong- which is not any part of our ethnic heritage. When we were "caught" the guard waved us to a place at some ropes behind the seating. In a few minutes I looked up and here came the pope in his popemobile riding slowly right past us! I reached out and got to touch his hand. It was great.