Santa Maria del Popolo
Just inside Rome’s northern gate, Santa Maria del Popolo pairs an unassuming Renaissance façade with one of the richest small art collections in the city. Caravaggio, Raphael, Bernini, and Pinturicchio all left work here, tucked into side chapels rather than arranged for a museum crowd — one of Rome’s best rewards for visitors willing to look closely.
Highlights
01
Madonna del Popolo
The venerated icon of the Madonna del Popolo (Our Lady of the People) above the high altar.
02
Caravaggio in the Cerasi Chapel
Two Caravaggio masterpieces in the Cerasi Chapel: The Conversion of Saint Paul and The Crucifixion of Saint Peter.
03
The Chigi Chapel
The Chigi Chapel, designed by Raphael and later completed by Bernini, including Bernini’s sculptures of Daniel and Habakkuk.
Also of note
- Pinturicchio’s frescoes in the Della Rovere Chapel and the choir vault
- Renaissance tomb monuments throughout the church, several attributed to the workshop of Andrea Bregno
Opening Hours
Monday–Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4 – 7 p.m. (approximately)
Sunday and holidays: 4:30 – 7 p.m. (approximately, outside Mass times)
Hours vary by season and source, and the church closes to visitors during Mass. Verify before visiting.
Mass Times
Weekdays (Mon–Sat) at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Sundays and holy days at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Parish Mass schedule; confirm before visiting, especially around major feasts.
Titular Cardinal
Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz from Poland