Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comAudience with Pope Benedict XVI at Vatican City
based on 100 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.
We were picked up at our hotel 35 minutes late. When we we arrived at the tour operator's office, it was very chaotic. We arrived at the auditorium where the Pope would appear far enough in advance. However, our seats were toward the back of the auditorium. A lot of Viator's reviewers stated that their seats were right up front. The tour of the city was not that great. We had a better tour from our taxi driver on our way to the airport. We made a stop at a tourist shop to use the bathroom. This did not meet my expectations.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States, August 2007
If we had left a bit earlier we would have gotten into the main audience room. As it was, we couldn't see the Pope in the church and it was overcrowded. At least we had a great guide.
Reviewed by: Dean B, Canada, July 2007
It was a very hot day. So be warned to carry plenty of water! Also, I understood that shorts and half-sleeve shirts are not allowed. But there were lot of people in shorts and half-shirts who were allowed in because it was very hot weather. Otherwise, we very much liked the tour and appreciate being able to see the Pope.
Reviewed by: Rajkamal C, United Kingdom, August 2006
There was nothing that the tour guide did that I wouldn't have been able to do myself. No added value.
Reviewed by: Elodie U, Canada, April 2008
I recommend absolutely the audience but not to take it as a tour since we sat too far away from the Pope.
Reviewed by: Angelica P, Mexico, December 2007
The Viator paperwork told us to be ready 15 minutes before the pickup, so we were ready at 6:45. By 7:15, no one had arrived, so I called the tour operator's office only to be told the paperwork was wrong, and we only needed to ready by 7:00. I was told that the driver was late, but someone was on the way. No one arrived until 7:40, and then we were squashed into a taxi with two others and driven to the office. The man who met the taxi at the office was extremely rude to all four of us. I was very disappointed.
Reviewed by: Michael C, United Kingdom, September 2007
You can get in for free and all they provided was transportation and a late arrival because they stopped at one of the tourist trap religious stores selling items that was double the price as in other places.
Reviewed by: Peter J, United States, September 2007
I paid over 200 for a Papal Audience. Because it was full, our tour guide advised us that we were not able to attend the Papal Audience, however, we were diverted to the Basilica where the Pope visited for 5 minutes and our tour guide disappeared in the crowd.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States, July 2007
I did not get out of this tour what I expected. They stopped at a high-price souvenir shop and they hardly pointed out any sights along the way. We were left to find our own seats, although we paid a good price to them for this service. We could have done better going there by ourselves.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States, December 2006
Although it was lovely to see the Pope, the organization in the courtyard before going into the hall where the Pope was - was awful. There was a gate that only two people at a time could fit through, and the entire crowd starting shoving and pushing to get in. How someone was not seriously hurt was a miracle. I feel since this papal audience is a regular thing, the authorities in Rome should have it better organized.
Reviewed by: Linda D, Ireland, September 2006
