Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comAudience with Pope Benedict XVI at Vatican City
based on 128 reviews
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Rome, Italy
Product code: 2390GRET5
128 reviews of Audience with Pope Benedict XVI at Vatican City
Read what other Viator.com travelers think about the Audience with Pope Benedict XVI at Vatican City. What they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
A great experience. It was a surprise 50th birthday present for my husband. Everything went perfect, bus was on time and the tour guide was very informative and friendly and I recommend taking a hat to wear and a cold drink as it was very hot. We both loved the visit. We were in Rome for 4 days and this tour was definitely our best day out.
Reviewed by: Richard C, United Kingdom, September 2007
I'd definitely do this tour again. The bus trip was a bit boring and the tour guide was interesting, but he seemed bored with himself. We got to Vatican City late because the car agency hired to pick us up at the hotel was forty five minutes late. Being in the same vicinity of the Pope is a great experience, but being close enough for him to wave at my kids was something totally unexpected and thrilling. That made the tour worthwhile. If you want to see the Pope up close, you won't do it sitting where the tour seats you. Make sure you sit next to the barricade as the Popemobile drives right by. Also, bring lots of water and an umbrella. It was very hot. All in all, a great experience. I'd do it again.
Reviewed by: Michelle C, United States of America, September 2007
What a brilliant trip! It was a very special day for my husband and me, our pearl anniversary. The atmosphere was very informal and happy. There were people from all over the world. When the pope came out onto the stage, the crowd treated him as a superstar. It was a very moving experience. We had brought a family photo collage, along with some artifacts, for the pope to bless. It would have been nice to be nearer to the front, but in the end it didn't really matter. The experience will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
Reviewed by: Gillian B, United Kingdom, August 2007
The guide was very good. My only issue was that the bus was one hour late picking me up at my hotel, and I was very concerned that I would miss the tour.
Reviewed by: Patricia W, United States of America, July 2007
It was wonderful - I had the time of my life! Excellent service and tour. Thank you!
Reviewed by: Jonathan C, United States of America, June 2007
This was great. We were so glad that we had tickets, because we actually got to sit and be closer than anyone else.
Reviewed by: William R, United States of America, June 2007
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.
Reviewed by: Margaret T, United Kingdom, April 2007
The highlight of Rome, I would recommend going to the Papal Audience and will do it again next visit.
Reviewed by: Stephanie T, United States of America, April 2007
Having left our hotel at 7am in the pouring rain, we expected a soggy seat in St Peter's Square. Imagine our surprise and delight when we discovered that we would be attending mass to be said by Pope Benedict in the Basilica. A once in a lifetime experience. Then to complete the morning, as it was a Holy Day, the Pope then came to the window to say the Angelus and speak to the crowds. We couldn't have asked for more.
Reviewed by: Martin M, United Kingdom, November 2006
The Papal audience was a wonderful experience. Thank you for making it easy.
Reviewed by: Eugene H, United States of America, October 2006
It was an unexpected surprise to be picked up from our hotel. And we were given information on the sights on the way to the Vatican, which was also appreciated. And when we arrived at St Peter's square we were lead through to our seats without having to wait in a long line. We had a wonderful experience. It was well worth booking before our trip.
Reviewed by: Anne B, United Kingdom, October 2006
I used Viator to set up all of our tours in Italy. This made things very easy for us because all we had to do was show up at the designated locations, which were easy to find. This allowed us to maximize our trip/vacation and alleviated any stress of having to plan our trip/tours on the spot.
Reviewed by: Arturo R, United States of America, August 2006
Seeing the Pope was the highlight of our time in Rome. We were lucky to be able to go to Castel Gandolpho. We were in a group of pilgrims and felt that it was a very personal experience.
Reviewed by: Theresa M, United States of America, August 2006
What can we say - when in Rome you simply must spend time at the Vatican and hear the Pope speak. It's wonderful.
Reviewed by: Nancy L, United Kingdom, August 2006
We sat for three hours in the hot sun before anything started, which was tough.
Reviewed by: Steven K, United States of America, June 2009
