We will be staying in central Rome in July (at the Cesari) and my husband is interested in attending mass. I know there are churches all around - but does anyone have a recommendation for a beautiful service? I've read about St. Peter's but not sure I want to brave the crowds.

Thanks!

I don't know where they have a particularly beautiful service, but several years ago I was in Rome in February and kept trying to see Bernini's famous sculpture, the Ecstasy of St. Theresa, in the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, but every time I tried to go it was closed. I then realized Ash Wednesday was coming up so went to Mass at that church. So that's another approach -- to choose a church known for its artwork.

Thanks, that's a good idea, and a church worth seeing.

Santa Susanna has Mass with Gregorian chant at 5pm on Sundays. I wanted to do this but found out about it too late.

St.Susanna is the American parish in Rome and has Mass in English on Sat. evenings and Sundays. It's very nice but not particularly "beautiful." When I think of beautiful Masses I've attended in Rome, Sunday Mass at Santa Maria Maggiore comes to mind and Saturday evening Mass at Santi Quattro Coronati (after the cloistered nuns sing vespers) was unbelievably lovely.