Does anyone know if St. Peters Basillica is open on Sundays and Ferrogosto (August 15) for tourists? I know the website says they are open daily even when the museums are closed -- i assume the basillicca will be open for masses but we just want to see the basillica/cupola and not necessarily attend mass. TIA!

It's open, but the Pope is usually at Castel Gandolfo (July/August). It's not that far by train if you want to go. The Pope's schedule for that day:
15 Monday
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Castel Gandolfo - Parish Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova, at 8:00
Holy Mass

http://www.vatican.va/faq/index_en.htm

Cupola hours:
http://www.vatican.va/various/basili...pola/orari.htm

Basilica hours:
http://www.vatican.va/various/basili...lica/orari.htm

The above are the official sites, but I like this unofficial site as it has lots of info and maps of the Vatican with every thing numbered.
http://saintpetersbasilica.org/index.htm

Thanks for the info! I assumed the Pope would still be in Spain for World Youth day so we'll look into Castel Gandolfo too - sounds lovely.

His schedule says Madrid on 8/21.
http://www.vatican.va/various/prefet...dienze_en.html