Papal Audiences

How to request tickets for Wednesday-morning audiences with Pope Francis

Everything you need to know about Papal Audiences

  • Papal Audiences are held on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM, customarily in St. Peter’s Square. (Sometimes in December/January and in August, they are held in the Paul VI Audience Hall, just ask the guards).
  • The Pope usually gets there at 9 AM, and begins visiting various sections of the crowd (usually driving through the area).
  • To enter the Square, you will have to go through security first (through the colonnade on either side, as directed by the guards.) Just follow the crowds and go early!
  • We recommend that you arrive 2 hours early in order to get a good seat.
  • The Audience is not a Mass. It is a time for pilgrims and visitors to greet and listen to the Pope.
  • Pictures are allowed to be taken.
  • Religious articles will be blessed by the Pope during the Audience.
  • It lasts about 1 ½ hours and includes prayers, singing, a brief homily, and blessings, all in different languages.
  • Dress appropriately (no shorts or sleeveless shirts).
  • Don’t bring large backpacks or knapsacks.
  • If there is heavy rain, and having the audience outside is not possible, the attendees are sometimes split into two groups, one group in the Audience Hall and one group in the Basilica. (You can bring an umbrella.)

Please note: St. Patrick’s does not supply tickets for Jubilee Masses, Canonization Masses, or Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Easter Vigil or Easter Morning Masses at Saint Peter’s Basilica with the Holy Father.

At this time, all requests for Papal Audience tickets must go through the Vatican.

Unfortunately, St. Patrick’s is no longer able to provide tickets for Papal Audiences on behalf of pilgrims and visitors. All requests must be sent to the office of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household directly.

It is best to mail your request to:

The Prefecture of the Pontifical Household
00120 Vatican City State

You can find a print-and-mail form (in Word doc format) on the Vatican’s website. Print this form and mail it to the address above or by email or fax:

ordinanze@pontificalisdomus.va

Fax: +39 06 6988 5863
From the US & Canada: 011 39 06 6988 5863
From the UK and Europe : 0039 06 6988 5863
From Argentina: 0039 06 6988 5863

Please note: The Vatican receive a large amount of requests each and every day so you may have to be patient for a response.

You can collect your tickets directly from the Swiss Guards in the colonnade of St. Peter’s Square at the “Bronze Door”, please click the link below to see the meeting point.

This may change in the future, so please check our website before your trip to Rome.

In the meantime, you are always welcome to St. Patrick’s Church in Rome for our Masses, programs and celebrations

Ticket Request Form

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    IMPORTANT: Audiences are held only on Wednesdays. You must choose a Wednesday!