OK, don't kill me, I've done my searches and I can't find any recent, accurate information. We're spending Christmas in Rome and want the full-on experience. We would love to attend Christmas Eve mass at St. Peter's but how, how, how?? Do I need to email somewhere at the Vatican to request tickets? I can't find anything on the Vatican website. Thanks for any info!

Christmas Mass is not specifically mentioned, but the likeliest way to get tickets is probably through the American church in Rome, Santa Susanna:

www.santasusanna.org

hausfrau. You and a million other people. IF you're lucky, you'll be one of the hundreds of thousands standing in St.Peter's square.

If tickets can be bought, they were probably sold out in February.

Thanks, kaneda, obviously I needed a reality check. Santa Susanna is no longer able to fulfill requests for Christmas Eve mass tickets. Obviously pursuing this is not realistic given that Christmas is a month away. But what do you mean exactly by standing in St. Peter's Square? Seriously, do they broadcast the mass on TV screens or something? Inquiring minds want to know!

Does anyone know about the Papal blessing on Christmas day? Is this something you just show up for in St. Peter's Square?

Where else do you recommend going for Christmas Eve mass or Christmas Day services in Rome?

Yes, they do broadcast the mass and Papal Blessings on large TV screens in St. Peter's Square. If you really want to go I would suggest getting there very early and getting a spot on the square. For events in the square you just show up....no tickets necessary.

Tickets for Christmas Eve Mass have not been handled by Santa Susanna for about two years. You can try emailing the Bishop's office of the North American College in Rome. They are sometimes able to offer tickets for Christmas and Easter Masses. However, at this late date, it will really be a miracle if you are able to secure any tickets. The other major basilicas will have Christmas Eve Masses. My choice would be Santa Maria Maggiorre as it is such a beautiful church.

Can I recommend the Christmas day service. We saw John Paul give the Papal blessing in 2002 and it was great. You only have to get there a little before 10am. Mass is at noon and it fills the square. There were 2 seating areas and we actually had seats. Sit on the left close to the front as that is where the pope enters from. I actually got a picture of JP II from about 10 ft. It is very moving.

You need tickets to get into Midnight Mass but you don't pay for them. If you are Catholic (really ideal if you intend to go to a 2 hour+ Mass) then you can ask your Parish Priest to try to get them. You may be too late but worth a try. The Christmas Day Pope's blessing (12 noon) is in St Peter's Square. No tickets needed just patience and a sense of timing.

Did you see this posting?
http://tinyurl.com/yb5vxw

Write, not email, to this address.
James M. Harvey, Prefect
Prefettura Della Casa Pontificia
The Vatican
ROMA, ITALIA
cml

Thanks all for your advice!

Given the late date, I think our best bet is to go to the Pope's blessing in St. Peter's Square (thanks for the details, jay), and maybe we will try to find a midnight mass closer to our hotel. I'm sure it will be a great experience, whatever we decide to do!

We're going to try to do the mass at the Pantheon. Remember, essentially no bus service at that time of night.

Hi, I was thinking of traveling to Rome this Christmas Eve. I was wondering what your experience was with attending the Holy Mass at St. Peter's. Did you get tickets ahead of time? I am hearing different things, but not from anyone who has actually gone.

Admission to St Peter's Basilica for Christmas Midnight Mass is by ticket only, and you have to get one (ticket itself is free) in advance. As you might imagine, demand greatly exceeds supply, from pilgrims, tourists as well as Roman residents. All I can say is contact the Bishop's Office for your nationality (if you are a Roman Catholic) and they will try to get you one, but no promises. North American visitors can contact http://www.pnac.org/general/visiting_vatican.htm Or speak to your parish priest, who will contact the Vatican through his diocese. If you are not an RC, get in touch with your embassy at the Holy See, or Italy (if your country has no embassy at the Vatican). There is no way you get one on the day, and hope for the best!
There will be giant screens outside in the square near the crib to follow Mass (rather chilly), and it will be televised live on Italian State TV.

Alec, Good to get the tickets in advance. But if she is unable to, don't despair. There is a line of people who don't have tickets but want to attend the mass in St. Peter's Square. Thousands of people choose this option, but arrive real early, dress warmly and plan to be in large crowds all night.