Statia

Can anyone tell me how I can find out if, when and where the Pope will be saying mass in Rome on Sunday, March 19? Or, even any other day during the week leading up to that Sunday?

I assume he would be saying mass at St. Peter's on Sunday, but I know that he also travels and I just want to ensure that my mom sees a mass with him while we are in Rome, if possible.

romanita

Yes. From the Vatican website www.vatican.va - "19 March - III Sunday of Lent Vatican Basilica, at 9.30am Altar of the Confession - Mass for workers". I am not yet clear what this means, ie if all the tickets will be restricted to (presumably Italian) workers. This is scheduled to be inside St Peter's, not in the piazza outside, so space, and therefore tickets, will limited. The Holy Father will give the Angelus address from his window at noon, to everyone (no tickets needed) in the piazza.
Co-incidentally 19th March would be the feast of St Joseph if it were not on a Sunday, and Joseph was the Holy Father's name before he took Benedict on becoming Pope.

Statia

Thanks for the info romanita. I didn't realize that you had to have tickets for a Sunday mass at St. Peters. I thought that was only for the Papal Audience. Does anyone know how I would go about getting tickets for mass?

Eloise

You might find this thread helpful, although there is some misinformation in it. Platzman's message sounds as if he's "been there, done that."

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34709802

Alec

The Pope doesn't celebrate that many public Masses, even if he is resident at the Vatican. He normally says early Sunday Mass for his personal staff in his private chapel (not Sistine Chapel). The 10 am Sunday Mass in St Peter's is offered for those who work at the Vatican, but it's open to anyone. It will not be celebrated by the Pope, but usually by one of many resident bishops or priests on the Vatican staff. If you want to attend it, I suggest you get there early - at least by 9.30 am to secure a seat.
You normally need a ticket to attend a Papal Mass, on major feast days and on such occasions as canonisation, beatification or consistory (meeting of cardinals). If it's an outdoor Mass in the piazza (in warmer weather), you can stand outside the cordon and follow the proceedings on giant screens.
See the liturgical celebration section on www.vatican.va

Eloise

Since the March 19 Mass is on Benedict XVI's schedule, I assume he will celebrate it.

You might try this:

GENERAL AUDIENCES OF THE HOLY FATHER AND PONTIFICAL CEREMONIES:
Enquiries: Prefect of the Pontifical Household Ph. +39.06.69884857 fax +39.06.69885863

(from the Vatican Web site)

Statia

Thanks so much for the further info!

Statia

Just an update. I heard from the Vatican and the Pope is indeed celebrating the 10:30 a.m. mass at St. Peters on Sunday, March 19, and the public does not need tickets to attend. My mom is completely stoked. We plan to get there at least two hours early, or do you think this is early enough? Should we maybe be there three hours prior?

Thanks for the info everyone.

CVerga

Statia,
I just read your post. My Mom and I will be doing the exact same thing that morning! I tried to get tickets and was also told that no tickets were required. The Sister that responded to my request informed me that it would be very crowded and that she would pray for me to get in I thought that was sweet, but also a warning to get there really early. I don't think that we will be there before 7:30, however. I am motivated, but with jetlag, I can't imagine getting up any earlier! I hope we all get in. Have a great trip!
Carol

Statia

Good luck to you, too, CVerga! Yes, hopefully we will all be able to get in.

Eloise

Statia and CVerga:

Statia, have you noticed that the Papal Mass has been moved up to 9:30 a.m.?

CVerga, I know from your Venice post that you're aware of the change.

Statia

No, I wasn't aware of that, Eloise. Thank you so much for the heads up! I guess we will need to get there at 6:30 a.m. now instead of 7:30 a.m. Oh boy.

Laura_Evans

I have been looking for this information everywhere my hubby is running the marathon that day and I intend to see the Pope God willing remember it is the Rome Marathon so do allow time Thank you

Alec

This thread is 5 years old, and according to the Vatican website, on Saturday 19 March 2011, the Holy Father will be in
"Redemptoris Mater" Chapel, at 9:00am for the conclusion of Spiritual Exercises. The Chapel is situated at the entrance to the Papal Apartment, and it's most unlikely anyone other than invited Vatican staff will be allowed to attend as the Exercises are meant for them, and the chapel itself is quite small.

kybourbon

March 2011

* Angelus: (in St Peter’s Square) (no tickets required)
6, 13, 20 and 27 March

* General Audiences (tickets required)
Wednesday 2, 9, 23, 30

* Liturgical celebrations (tickets required)
Wednesday 9: Holy Mass of Ash Wednesday, 17:00. Basilica of Saint Sabina on the Aventine