my family will be traveling to visit some friends in Rome who tell us they have secured tickets to midnight mass at the vatican. i have heard that tickets may mean seated access inside st. peter's? does anyone know if this sounds accurate or has anyone been? if so, what would proper attire constitute?

forgot to mention it will be christmas eve.

I watch this service every year, the audience is well dressed, women with smart suits with furs and men in suits. Your Roman friends will probably tell you the same.

I watch on TV!

They may be well dressed, but unless you are in the VIP section near the altar for invited guests and ambassadors, there is no need to dress up in order to gain access - just the usual Vatican code of covering shoulders and knees etc.
What you see on televised Midnight Mass is only the small area near the front (where you are unlikely to be, unless invited by the Vatican etc), and the vast majority sit in the body of one of the biggest churches on earth and pretty much wear what they like, within reason.

I've never watched Midnight Mass at the Vatican on television, but this thread reminds me to do it this year, so I can transport my mind back to that incredible church. My memories of the esquisite artwork there are so vivid!

Like SeaUrchin I almost always watch the Midnight Mass at the Vatican. It is a family tradition. If I miss it for whatever reason I feel like a part of Christmas is missing. I hope you are able to this Christmas Eve Mary Fran. Some of my family members were invited guest of the Vatican one year, a memory they will never forget.

What an honor for your family! I would be inclined to say nice "church clothes": jacket/tie for you, dress or dressy pants for the Mrs.

Is St. Peter's heated? That might influence her choice of shoes (not to mention the amount of walking I'd imagine will be involved). If your friends are Catholic and Italian the lady may cover her head. A small lace mantilla might be appropriate for Mrs. Andrew. Ask your friends when you get to Rome...I saw mantillas in many shops.

My experience of Holy Mass at St Peter's is the same as Alec's.

There is no dress code, except that most Italian churches requirte knees and shoulders to be covered. If you want to dress up, there's no rule against it. TV cameras usually pick up the seats at the front where there is a tradition of dressing formally on some occasions.

But most members of the congregation don't: they typically aren't Roman socialites but pilgrims from all over the world. Mantillas are very rare nowadays.

I too, watch midnight mass at the Vatican, and consider it a tradition. But as for dress, one thing you know NOT to do, no shorts, and no bare arms!

No, St Peter's is not heated..the spanish tv conductor (he is a priest) never fails to remember it..I suppose he has had a "frozen" experience there before and never forgets to tell

I would definitely wear red Prada shoes; that is probably what Pope Benny will be wearing under his Roberto Cavalli gown.

Mary Christmas!

The Catholic Church is pretty lenient about dress. I've been to solemn high masses where half the church was filled with workmen in overalls and steel-toe shoes. The church's position is that it's what's <i>inside</i> parishioners that matters, and what they cover themselves with is moot. Some protestant sects evidently disagree.

The Italians I know would def. dress up for midnight mass at the Vatican, no matter where they are seated. Since andrew is asking, he must want to dress respectfully.

Yes, it is tradition in my home to watch this mass every year, I hope the Pope is wearing his red pradas!

I love the admonishments: no shorts and no bare arms! Visualize midnight Mass on a cold December night with the attendees all dressed in shorts, halter tops and flip-flops.

Go with alec's advice it's correct.

and no one else's is correct?

Dress appropiately.

I would want to know how my host friends will dress. Since you apparently don't know, I would be inclined toward dressier than not.

As a Catholic, I'd dress up as best I could (in appropriate attire.) I do for midnight Mass at home &amp; I sure would for the Vatican.