108 reviews of Audience with Pope Benedict XVI at Vatican City

The hotel pickup and drop-off were convenient. This was a worthwhile experience.

Worth doing if you like the idea of seeing the pope in a large hall talking in many different languages with the aid of regional clergymen and if you like singing pilgrims and the relaxed atmosphere of large congregations. It was pleasant and I'm not even a Christian.

This was very enjoyable and well organised. Thank you. I would book with Viator again.

It was great to pass the queues and not wait in line. The wait on the pope was a bit long, but that was expected. Definitely worth doing!

Very good tour except for one thing. We felt that as the bus guide was dealing in at least three languages, that by the time she informed us of a place in English, we had already passed that place and missed the information. Also, we found it difficult to find our way back to our hotel from the directions given when we were dropped off after the tour. Otherwise, it was very interesting and we were delighted to be at the Papal Audience and to see the Pope.

This was a very dramatic and uplifting experience. It would be wise to take water with you.

After booking at the last minute, I had some difficulties with the confirmation process. However, once I was on the bus, things went well. The guide provided lively commentary along the route to the Vatican and some background information on the Vatican. They took us to the 'official souvenir shop' which would be better described as a jewelry shop. They did offer Vatican stamps with the postcards, which I thought was a nice a touch. We were smoothly unloaded, oriented and through security into the hall early enough to get good seats. Be prepared for quite a wait. Our guide told us to sit as close as possible to the center aisle in Nevi Hall because the Pope would come down that way. For good seats, I felt it was worth the waiting time. The Pope did come down the center at slow pace, greeting people on the way. I was pleasantly surprised by the informal tone of the audience and by the enthusiasm of the crowd. After the audience was over, it was easy to locate the guide by his umbrella and get back on the bus. On the whole, it was a very satisfactory experience.

The Papal audience was fantastic and not to be missed, but I think the cost was a bit expensive. Also I felt rushed at the end, as we had to be back to get the bus before the audience finished. If you waited to the end you would have not made it back to the bus on time.