lynn

Stupid question this may be, but is there any chance i may just be able to see the pope at the vatican in his pope-mobile? i'm not catholic or terribly religous, but would like to say that i "saw" him. any suggestions?

Thyra

I don't know a specific trick to seeing the pope, but my husband and I were on a city bus tour that just happened to pass by the Vatican during the time when the Pope gives his afternoon blessing (I am sorry if I am using incorrect terminology here) it was really fantastic because the woman hosting the tour was like "and to the right you can see such and such that was presented in 1624 and on the Left you can see the Pope ..." without missing a beat, like he was a fixed landmark or something.

TinderS

One day I was in Bologna and tons of folks were lining the streets, so my friend and I added to the crowd. 15 minutes later, the pope in his pope mobile drove by. It was pretty funny just happening on that. So, use the web and find his schedule...it must be there somewhere.

Cathy

Lynn, <BR>The Pope hosts his weekly auidence on Wednesdays, when you arrive in Rome go straight to the Swiss Guards on the right hand side of St Peters and ask them about the tickets - they will direct you to the correct office. Otherwise check past hosted forums and Rome, <BR> <BR>Cathy

Ed

The Pope's audiences are on Wednesdays when he's in town. During good weather they're held in the Piazza San Pietro in front of the Basilica. During winter and bad weather in the Sala Audienza just around the corner (to the south) from the Piazza. <BR> <BR>Tickets, free, required in either case. Info on getting at www.twenj.com/romevatican.htm#audience <BR> <BR>Ed

edie

when i did my semester in rome, the school arranged tickets for all of us to one of the wednesday audiences. it's a huge auditorium. <BR>two tricks, get there early, and get an aisle seat. he walks up and down the aisle and shakes hands. very moving and inspiring for this catholic girl to touch Il Papa. <BR>also, anything you have on your person is "blessed" so you might want to pick up some rosary beads outside the vatican. my religious aunts, etc were very pleased to get them as stocking stuffers. <BR>actually three tricks...there are photographers who attend the audiences. their offices are all in the piazza which is to the right of the Piazza ( if you are looking at St. Peters) i forget the name of it, but it's where all the buses are, and where you line up for the vatican museums. if you are in rome the next day, and had an aisle seat, go see the shops, they display the pictures and you can buy them. you might be in one, which is a pretty nice souvenier. <BR>

TJ

I'd strongly recommend calling Santa Susanna church in Rome, which is the local parish for American Catholics. They can get you tickets for the Wednesday papal audience, and also for any special papal masses that may be scheduled. (They got me tickets for the canonization ceremony of Katherine Drexel in St. Peter's Square last Sunday). They're very helpful. Two caveats: (1) you'll have to pick up your tickets from St. Susanna's the day before; they're near Via Veneto & Piazza di Spagna; (2) please be polite and give a small donation (e.g. 5000 Lira ($2.50) per ticket). Phone 06.4201.4554; fax 06.474.0236. Contact them at least a week before your visit.