Papal Audiences & Pope Tours

Picked us up at our hotel (just make sure a day or 2 ahead that you contact them to make SURE they are picking you up versus meeting them somewhere), we switched buses to a bigger bus, and were taken very close to the square. We were there around 8:15am, grabbed our chair(hang on to it!) and waited. It's a long wait, but around 9am a clergyman gets on the microphone and reads a long list of visiting groups. This took about an hour while the various groups cheered when their name was called. Around 10:15 am, the Pope appeared in his Popemobile. The crowd near the Pope's path was very deep, so I suggest standing on your chair to a picture of him when he goes by. He goes around twice, so, if you missed him the first time, there's another opportunity. Then he goes to the stage...great photo op if you have a zoom lense. He speaks and it is translated in various languages, and near the end he blesses objects you may have brought. I bought my rosaries, holy cards, and other religious objects beforehand in the US, but you can also buy them in any of the many souvenir shops in Rome. They are cheap in the stores, like 2-5 euros, but more near the Vatican. It's nice to give as gifts, saying its been blessed by Papa Francesco, as they call him. The ceremony is over around 11:30am, and we met our guide outside the ropes and then walked quite far, maybe 1/4 mile, to get back on the bus. Well worth the trip, one I will never forget!

Doing what: Papal Audience Ticket at Vatican City

A "must do" while in Rome. One has to be there early so that the group can secure good seats before the crowd appears. The pope travels in the popemobile directly in front of you, and it's a great photo op!

Doing what: Papal Audience Tickets and Presentation

The trip to the Eternal City of Rome was more than I anticipated and the audience with the Pope was the highlight of my trip. On my bucket list was to be in St. Peter's Square for the blessing by the Pope, but Viator and our wonderful guide took this one step further and actually brought us into the Sacristy of the Church placed usin the fourth row back and about 25' from the Pope. This was absolutely fantastic. Thank you Tiffany and Viator for doing such a great job and making my trip a wonderful success. Cheers.

Doing what: Papal Audience Tickets and Presentation

It was a magical experience for my wife and myself. We were able to get so close to the front and all the action and our guide made the early entry and wait very worthwhile.

Excellent! Shanon from Dark Rome got us front seats so had great view of pope. High point of Rome trip for my sisters.

Doing what: Papal Audience Tickets and Presentation

I can't recommend this enough! We went to Rome in March of 2011 and very much wanted to see the Pope. While the tickets are free they are hard to come by, so we decided to purchase this trip. Our local guide was wonderful. She knew exactly what entrance to use and got us great seats. We were three feet away when he drove by and about 100 feet from where he was sitting. She gave a wonderful talk on the history of the Pope while we waited.
If you book this you will not be disappointed.

Doing what: Papal Audience Tickets and Presentation

Recommend to do this as when in Rome what more better than be up close to the Pope. He does not just wave at the window, he drives past you close in the Pope mobile, saying mass, blessing everyone in many languages, a must if you are Catholic. Very enjoyable day even in the heat, take a hat.

Doing what: Papal Audience Ticket at Vatican City

I'm not religious. But I will say, it is very cool to watch the Pope address the crowds from Vatican Square in Rome. Definitely worth seeing, even as just a cultural experience. Extra points if you get to see the Pope-mobile.

Most people only will go to Rome once in their lifetime. This was a truly special event. What I did not understand was that you are actually in a beautiful, supermodern, air conditioned auditorium with the pope sitting on the stage. Don't forget your zoom lens for this memorable experience.

Doing what: Papal Audience Ticket at Vatican City

It's always been my dream to get to see the Holy Father in Rome at the Vatican. This company helped make my dream come true. It was wonderful to have a guide show us where to go and what to do to get good seats to see the Pope.

Doing what: Papal Audience Ticket at Vatican City

I was travelling alone the day of the tour and it was my first time in Rome. But I felt comfortable and safe knowing I was part of a group. The tour bus picked me up at my hotel and returned me just a block from it. There were extremely long lines which we were able to skip. We arrived early enough to get seats close to the front of the Cathedral and had wonderful views of the Pope. The Papal audience visit was very moving and definitely worth the effort.

Doing what: Papal Audience Ticket at Vatican City

We were not able to take this tour due to the Pope being out of town. We took instead the Best of Rome Afternoon Walking Tour and were absolutely delighted with our choice. We took it on our first day in Rome, so we were able to get an overview of the city, walk through our jet lag and take advantage of the knowledge of our wonderful tour guide. It was A LOT of walking and a terrific way to see the city. We had lovely weather. There were only 6 of us so I feel we got lots of personalized information and were free to ask as many questions as we wanted. We even had the experience of walking past places she had pointed out to us later in the week and we felt like residents of Rome. Thanks so much!

Doing what: Papal Audience Tickets and Presentation

What a great experience this was! With thousands of people gathered, each speaking their own languages, it reminded me of the "tongues of fire" from the Bible. And the opportunity to see the pope with your own eyes--what a rare occasion! This is definitely a must if you are in Rome!

Doing what: Papal Audience Ticket at Vatican City

The Papal Audience at St. Peters should not be missed. It was brilliant from start to finish. A visit to Rome without going to St. Peter's would be a total travesty. We waited inside the hotel because it was early and we were picked up from there. The driver was very courteous and we were given the option of staying and savoring the day or returning to our hotel. Obviously we savored the moment. The Pope came within feet of our allocated area. WOW. The only criticism that we have would be that even if we had wanted to go back to our hotel for whatever reason we would not have been able to get past the crowds in time. Thank you Viator for a lovely experience that we could have missed had we not seen your advertisements.

Doing what: Papal Audience Ticket at Vatican City

What can we say - when in Rome you simply must spend time at the Vatican and hear the Pope speak. It's wonderful.

Doing what: Papal Audience Ticket at Vatican City