Guide to Papal Events

A guide to the different types of papal events: when and where they occur, when to arrive, and how to get tickets.

Papal Masses / Prayer Services

These take place on major Holy Days, Canonizations, and for special events. Most occur in Saint Peter’s Basilica or Saint Peter’s Square, but occasionally they will take place at other churches in Rome. Tickets are required.

Unlike a General Audience or the Sunday Angelus, papal Masses and liturgies don’t follow a regular weekly schedule — check the Calendar for confirmed dates.

When circumstances permit, the Pope will often move through the crowd after an outdoor Papal Mass (the Papal drive-by), though this isn’t guaranteed.

The Noon Angelus / Regina Caeli

• Usually Sundays at noon.
• Usually from the Holy Father’s window overlooking Saint Peter’s Square.
• It may also take place at Castel Gandolfo when the Pope is there.
• Regina Caeli replaces the Angelus during the Easter season.
• No tickets are required.

General Audiences

• Usually Wednesdays.
• Possible locations include Saint Peter’s Square, the Paul VI Audience Hall, and Saint Peter’s Basilica.
• Tickets are usually required and are free — see Tickets for how to request them.

Though tickets are required for most outdoor Papal Audiences and Papal Masses, sometimes tickets are not checked. So don’t be surprised if you go through security and nobody ever asks to see your ticket.

When circumstances permit, the Pope often moves through the crowd before the Audience begins (the Papal drive-by) though this isn’t guaranteed at every Audience.

For Audiences inside the Paul VI Auditorium, he will usually exit down the main aisle. For Audiences inside Saint Peter’s Basilica, he will usually enter down the main aisle.

Apostolic Journeys

An Apostolic Journey is an official papal visit outside Rome and Italy. While Pope Leo XIV is traveling, the normal schedule of Audiences, Angelus, and Masses in Rome may be affected or suspended. Check the Calendar for announced journey dates.

Urbi et Orbi

Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and to the world”) is a solemn blessing the Pope traditionally gives at Christmas and Easter from the loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica, overlooking Saint Peter’s Square. No ticket is needed simply to be in the Square for the blessing.