Papal Audience
Papal Audience
The Papal Audience on wednesday
The Pope’s General Audience in Rome
Wednesday, 7.30 h in Rome, Vatican City. Thousands of people are lining up, hoping to be among the first to make it through the Vatican’s security checks. After all, the early bird catches the worm! Here, that means one thing: the earlier you arrive, the better your chances of getting the best seats for the Pope’s General Audience.
But is getting up that early really worth it? And where are the best seats? We’ll tell you all this and more right here.
My Rating:
The Positives:
For some, seeing the Pope is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
The Negatives:
There are long wait times to bridge. This can become a test of patience, especially when the sun is shining, it is raining, or it is very cold.
Last modified: 14.10.2026 | Céline & Susi
Papal Audience
Tickets
The details
at a glance
Preise
Available free of charge via diferent Pilgrim Centers, while supplies last.
Available via GetYourGuide, including on-site assistance and introductions, starting at EUR 28.
Important Information
Entry is permitted only with knees and shoulders covered.
Don’t forget sun protection and drinks (small plastic bottles).
show more
Important Information
Entry is permitted only with knees and shoulders covered.
Don’t forget sun protection and drinks (small plastic bottles).
show moreImportant Information
- Admission is permitted only with knees and shoulders covered.
- Restrooms available on-site.
- Don’t forget sun protection and drinks.
- Not recommended for small children.
See our list in the text for more details.
show less
The Papal Audience
Photo Gallery
What is the procedure
and where should I sit?
Admission begins at 7.30 h, although many groups meet up earlier and wait for access. The Pope himself doesn’t appear until around 9.45 h, when he rides through the outer aisles between the rows of seats in his Popemobile. Shortly before his arrival, pathways and seating areas are temporarily closed off. This means that no one can leave the seating area during this time.
What follows is a series of greetings, the Sign of the Cross, Scripture readings in several languages, an address on a specific topic (including the recognition of various groups), the Lord’s Prayer, and the Apostolic Blessing. Official pilgrim groups of 10 or more people are acknowledged, and their members respond with cheers and applause.
The seating is divided into different sections. The Pope sits on a raised platform in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, known as the Sagrato. These seats are reserved for bishops, distinguished guests, the sick, and people with disabilities, and are generally allocated through the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Numerous newlywed couples also sit here to receive a blessing from the Pope.
As the Pope rides through the aisles in his Popemobile at the beginning of the audience, people stand up to greet him. Many even stand on their plastic chairs to get a better view. Exactly which route he will take is never entirely clear in advance. Those seated by the barriers or directly along the aisle are closest to the Pope and may even have the opportunity to hand him something.
Since it is possible to leave the audience early, some people choose to do so. However, this doesn’t detract from the solemn atmosphere. Most people stay until the end, though. Naturally, it takes a little while for all the visitors to leave the square.
St. Peter’s Basilica itself does not open its doors until around 13.00 h on the day of the Papal General Audience (Wednesday).
Important
notes
Important Information:
- Admission tickets are free of charge and can be obtained through the German Pilgrim Center.
- If you prefer, you can join a guided audience tour. One advantage is that the waiting time is filled with interesting facts about St. Peter’s Basilica, the audience, and the Vatican.
- Access to St. Peter’s Square is only possible from the left and right entrances at the beginning of the colonnades.
- Knees and shoulders must be covered to enter.
- The Papal General Audience is not a Holy Mass, but a large gathering featuring catechesis, speeches, prayers, and the Pope’s blessing. The bread and wine are not consecrated during the audience.
- Prohibited items include sharp objects, glass and insulated bottles, pocketknives, nail scissors, aerosol cans, and large umbrellas. Small umbrellas, 500 ml plastic drink bottles, and small snacks are allowed.
- Restrooms are available after passing through security.
- The audience lasts approximately 45 minutes and begins at 10.00 h. Please note: It takes time for all visitors to leave the square afterward. For this reason, St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica do not reopen until around 1:15–1:30 p.m.
- Children may find the audience challenging due to the long waiting times and large crowds, so it may not be the most suitable activity for them.
Papal Audience
A bit of History
The tradition of the Papal General Audience dates back to 1939, when Pope Pius XII began holding weekly Wednesday catecheses for newlyweds. After being interrupted during World War II, the tradition was revived in the 1960s by Pope John XXIII, who opened the audiences to all the faithful.
Today, the tradition continues, drawing thousands of people to St. Peter’s Square every Wednesday morning whenever the Pope is in Rome.
At Pope Leo XIV’s first General Audience on 21 May 2025, around 40,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News.
Over the course of Pope Francis’s pontificate, approximately 35 million people attended the General Audiences between 2013 and 2025 (source).
Summary
Yes, the audience is a spectacle. Yes, it is impressive to see so many people from all over the world gathering in one square. No, it’s not a “must-do,” but it is certainly something worth seeing 🙂
Yours,
Susi
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2026
With the support of Susanne Vukan.
Organizational image: German Pilgrim Center Rome
