chiguy

Has anyone done the papal audience in Rome? How should I plan for it? How early to arrive? How long does it last? Can it fit with other parts of Vatican touring, such as the museum and St. Peters?

Thanks!

Eloise

Have a look at the information on the Web site of the Church of Santa Susanna, the American church in Rome:

http://www.santasusanna.org/popeVati...peVatican.html

Grinisa

I've been to several audiences and special Masses. If you are talking about the general audience on Wednesdays, you will need a ticket which can be obtained through various methods. The Santa Susanna website is helpful in explaining this. The audience usually begins at 10:30. You will need to go through security so I would arrive no later than 10:00. Unless you have special tickets, seating is on a first come first served basis. It lasts about an hour to an hour and a half. You can visit the Basilica and Museums after the audience but both will be very crowded that day.

rex

<<You can visit the Basilica and Museums after the audience but both will be very crowded that day.>>

This is six years old info now, but we left about a half hour before it was over and went straight to the Musei, and found no oppressive crowds there.

We then went to the Basilica later that same afternoon about 4 pm (having been to the colosseum, and to street vendors for lunch - - this was a whirlwind "day visit&quot - - again no problems or big crowds.

Best wishes,

Rex

LOYL

We went to the Papal Audience last fall- got tickets through our diocese, but you can get them a number of places. Get there early (1 - 1 1/2 hrs before if you want a good spot- maybe earlier). Try to sit on a middle aisle. Last year he came in across the back of the chairs, (if your back is to the dais), he came in from the right- went all around to the other side and down that aisle to the dais. Then when he left he came up the center aisle and out to the right, I think. It's amazing how close you can get to him, and I think (regardless of your faith), it's very moving to be near him and receive his blessing. We were also told that any religious articles we had with us at that time were considered to be blessed by the Pope, so you may want to take a few things with you.

There was really a mob of people there- I would save the sight-seeing for a different time. Although we did go to the top of the dome afterwards, the museums took a whole day earlier in the week.