I have reservations through the Bishops Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican for a Papal Audience in June. No place in any of the documentation they sent me does it say what time the audience occurs, what time you have to be in line, etc. Anybody know for sure?<BR><BR>I also have confirmed Scavi tour reservations at 1:45PM same day. Am I going to have time to get from the audience hall to the Scavi office? Hate to give up one or the other, don't know which I would cancel to be honest. Any advice out there?

My guidebook says that papal audiences occur each Wednesday beginning at 10:30 a.m. (10 a.m. in summer). You can also check on the website under "Papal Audiences" (e.g. www.romanhomes.com)

When I went in 1998, the guidebooks said 11 am, but when we picked up the tickets at Santa Susanna (at about 9:25), they said 9:15!<BR><BR>He was THERE at 11 am, and the "pope-mobile" started its lap around St. Peter's Square about 10:45. We just missed getting INSIDE the lap through which the pope-mobile travels. Get there early.<BR><BR>And there is no "audience hall"; the thousands (tens of thousands?) fill most of St. Peter's Square.<BR><BR>You'll be fine with your 1:45 Scavi tour. In fact, you'll need to kill (a little) time while they tear everything down from the audience (but not enough for the Musei Vaticani.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Jim,<BR><BR>I was just there last month. The papal audience was at 10:30 AM on Wednesday. There were long lines to get into St. Peter's because everyone had to go through security. They do move quickly, though. The earlier you get there, the better your seat will be. The seats rise up to the altar, so you'll probably be looking up at the pope. They also have two large tv screens, one on each side.<BR><BR>Keep in mind that the pope does ride around St. Peter's before he starts giving his sermons in multiple languages. If you want to get a close-up view of him during his popemobile lap, sit by the edges of St. Peter's.

Does this vary according to season? The location, I mean. In the Basilica or in the St. Peter's Square?<BR><BR>

topping<BR>

When you mention "getting seats", is there a cost for these seats?

You need an "invitation" to attend the Papal Audience. It's free. I got my "invitation" through my tour guides.

Since he is older, do you think that if we ask him to be a bit faster in his delivery he will abide by our wishes, as we have a 12:30 reservation across town and don't want to be late (the restaurant may not hold the table)?