Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comAudience with Pope Benedict XVI at Vatican City
based on 101 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.
It was a great tour. Seeing the Pope was great. The only disappointment was that because of the rain, it was inside in St. Peter's, so the pope only did a quick blessing. Despite this, we did enjoy the few minutes he spent with us. The seats were great, too, so close to him.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, Ireland, March 2008
The tour through the city was very informative. The Pope was with us for around twenty minutes. I thought it would be longer. Still, it was worth whatever time we had to see him.
Reviewed by: Stephen S, United States, February 2008
Very good and entertaining guide, however he was smoking as we walked across St. Peters square and sharing his knowledge was a little off putting and unprofessional!
Reviewed by: Virginia F, Australia, January 2008
It was worth doing, but the wait for the Pope was long, and the audience was about 90 minutes, so expect to be there all morning through 1:00 pm.
Reviewed by: Edquon L, United States, November 2007
It was a fab day; I had a great seat. There was lots of pushing from other people; considering that we were meant to be visiting the pope, the rudeness was unreal.
Reviewed by: Kerry B, United Kingdom, October 2007
The tour guide knew exactly where to sit us; when the Pope went by we were about five feet away from him. The guide was knowledgeable and took us around the city before we headed to the Vatican.
Reviewed by: Susan G, United States, October 2007
Good experience - but after 25 minutes, quite honestly got bored and we left. But amazing setting in St. Peter's square overlooked by the basilica.
Reviewed by: Adam H, United Kingdom, October 2007
This was worth the money if only to guarantee a seat to see the Pope.
Reviewed by: John D, United States, October 2007
The tour operators were quite disorganised on this particular tour, compared with one of their half-day tours that I had taken previously. Entry to the audience location requires a ticket, but this is free of charge from the Prefecture of the Papal Household. The value added by the tour operator is in booking and picking up the tickets and providing bus service to and from St. Peter's Square. There was not much of an introduction given on the bus as to the format of the audience; I did not know what to expect until the very last minute. The time allocated for the bus to return to the hotel was barely sufficient because of the large crowds in St. Peter's Square.
Reviewed by: Gregory W, Australia, October 2007
I did not know what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly everything went. Our guide was helpful and skilled, especially with languages. Our small group was grateful for transport from our hotel and then back after the event, as this was our first morning in Rome. It would have been helpful to know that the perimeter seats in St Peter's Square afford the best view of the Pope and to have an explanation of how the Audience is done. While I would not like to do this type of tour day in and day out for a holiday, it was great for this event.
Reviewed by: Carole K, United States, October 2007
When we booked our tour for the Vatican, your brochure said avoid the line. We waited an hour in line, but it was still worth it. The real problem was that we went to your office to confirm two tours. On the day of the tour, your person had not written us down, so we were a complete surprise to driver. Luckily, others in our hotel were also going, so we were not left behind.
Reviewed by: Consuelo M, United States, October 2007
You have to do this if you are in Rome. Be sure to take some protection from the heat, though.
Reviewed by: Elaine B, United Kingdom, October 2007
It was too hot to sit so long in the sun. It seemed unfair that the Pope breezes in late in his air-conditioned helicopter, while we broiled in the hot sun.
Reviewed by: Patrick R, United States, September 2007
We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. The tour was very well organised, and we found the tour guide very informative and friendly. The Pope's service was beautiful and one we will always remember.
Reviewed by: Cara M, United Kingdom, September 2007
Tour is not needed, but it does cut the complexity of knowing when/where to go.
Reviewed by: Joseph B, United States, September 2007
