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Vatican Papal Audience: Our Close Encounter with the Pope

One of the questions we were often asked after our Rome trip a couple of years ago was “Did you see the Pope?”.  We have happily answered “Yes” when we attended the papal audience at the Vatican. The surprising and recent resignation announcement of Pope Benedict XVI, the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, finally prompted me to do this post that has lingered in my memories.

vatican st peters basilica

One of our goals during our anniversary trip, while in Rome, was to see the Pope. It was just one of those things on a Catholic’s travel wish list. I’m so glad we did because it was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had in my life.

The papal audience is held every Wednesday if the Pope is in Rome. This was usually held at the square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. During our visit in late November, it was held indoors at the Hall of Pope Paul IV or Sala Nervi on the left area of the basilica.

Papal audience Sala Nervi

Attending the papal audience is free but tickets must be requested in advance through the Vatican or various churches. We got to the hall around 9 AM even though things didn’t start until 10:30 AM. We were ushered into a section based on our ticket.

It was open seating for each section which was a relief. I’ve heard and read that people get to the square very early when held outdoors, and people run to get the best seats when the gates open. I can just imagine that wild scene.

St Peters basilica vatican

We weren’t too happy with our seats though. As it neared the time for the Pope’s entrance, we found an unguarded gate and made our way closer to the front. We found two empty seats with a delegation from Brazil. They welcomed us and we became part of this Brazilian group despite looking so out of place but grateful we were able to sit closer to the stage.

While we were waiting for Pope Benedict’s entrance, various groups from all over the world spontaneously belted out chants and songs. The energy was infectious. It was remarkable to see how dedicated these groups were and how far some of them traveled on these pilgrimages.

Vatican papal audience

When the Pope entered, the crowd’s noise and cheers were deafening. It was like attending a rock concert or a really huge rally with crazed fans. The noise seemed magnified within the wall’s confines. There was a lot of screaming, clapping, crying, jumping up and down and waving – men and women of all ages. It was fascinating to watch.

The Pope greeted everyone in multiple languages. Two huge screens were on each side of the screen for some close-up shots. There was a brief prayer and sermon on the life of St. Catherine of Siena. Most of it was in Italian and then translated to English, Spanish, French and German.

Vatican Papal Audience

A majority of the time was spent acknowledging the various groups present. The groups were announced by languages. As they were called, they stood up, waved flags, banners and colored cloths. Then,  they broke out into short songs or cheers for the Pope.

A group from Oakland, California, dressed in choir uniforms, sang a song. They were the only ones I was able to capture on video and now remember fondly. Some were dressed in their native costumes like the Japanese delegates wearing their kimonos, and some from African nations wearing their traditional attire.

Vatican papal audience

Looking around, many people had this starstruck look in their eyes as we sat there mesmerized at the Pople. There was this overwhelming sense of disbelief that we were actually staring at the Pope in person and hearing his gentle voice over the microphone – LIVE.

The papal audience event ended with the singing of the “Our Father” prayer in Latin. No worries since the words are printed on the back of the ticket. It was actually pretty neat to follow it along in Latin. The Pope then gave his blessings to any religious objects brought from home. This blessing is also extended to the loved ones who are sick or suffering.

Vatican papal audience

Then, we sat there and watched the distinguished robed guests of Cardinals and Bishops line up to greet the Pope. Some lucky people with gifts also had the chance to meet him. I’m not sure what steps have to be taken to accomplish this private encounter.

papal audience

We made our way to the front when the meet-and-greet was winding down and people started leaving. No one stopped us as we moved closer and stood by the barricade to the steps.

Papal audience vatican

We were rewarded with this priceless photo as Pope Benedict exited. I think he saw some of us frantically waving. He looked straight at us and smiled and waved. At least, we hoped he was looking at us. We’d like to think we made eye contact with the Pope.

Pope Benedict

One of my other treasured photos from this trip was with the Papal Swiss Guard. As we were leaving, he greeted my husband and me in Tagalog (the Philippines’ national language). We were taken aback and quite impressed because it was so unexpected and because he recognized us as Filipinos. Throughout my adult life, I have been mistaken as a member of every other Asian ethnic group (even by my fellow Filipinos) so that really was a pleasant surprise.

Below is my tourist picture with that friendly guard. I guess we weren’t supposed to take pictures with them while they’re on duty but he said we could do so in a hurry before other people came. I’m really not that short. He was just really tall. Do you know those colorful uniforms weigh about 8 lbs? Vatican Swiss Guard

What caught my interest and what I found amazing throughout that whole event was how people reacted to the Pope. Many of us acted like the paparazzi with our iPhones and cameras trying to get the best shot.  But, it was the people who were brought to tears, those hopeful ones who held bibles and rosaries in hand for a blessing, and those excited and elated faces during this blessed event who made that whole visit much more special.

It was very emotional and moving and as a Catholic, a privileged experience. But no matter what your religious belief may be, we highly recommend attending the papal audience which could very well be a trip highlight. It was for us, and we would gladly do it again especially with a new Pope in residence soon. Farewell and Best Wishes Pope Benedict XVI!

Pope Benedict XVI

Vatican Papal Audience Tips and Basics

  • Free tickets can be obtained from the Papal Audience website or from the Church of Santa  Susanna in Rome.
  • We got our tickets from the Bishop’s Office for US Visitors to the Vatican since it was easier to pick up with our itinerary.  We emailed them a couple of months before our visit and picked up our tickets the Tuesday before at their office near the Trevi  Fountain.  Tickets must be picked up in person.
  • Unreserved tickets are also available (for requests of less than 10 tickets) with the Swiss Guards at the “Bronze Door” at St.  Peter’s Basilica.
  • Visitors can also see the Pope and receive the papal blessing on Sundays at noon when he appears from his window apartment  overlooking St. Peter’s Square. This one lasts approximately 15-20 minutes.
  • Dress appropriately with casual, modest attire. Ladies should have shoulders covered and skirts must fall below the knees. No  shorts.
  • During the summer, bring hats, sunscreen and water when attending at the square.
  • Arrive early to get good seats in your section when indoors or by the aisles where he may pass when on the popemobile at  the square.
  • Look out for empty seats closer to the stage as the event gets underway. It doesn’t hurt to ask and it paid off for us.
  • Don’t forget to bring rosaries or sacred objects from home for the papal blessing.
  • The indoor ceremony we attended lasted 1.5 hours but the outdoor one has been known to last way over two hours. We didn’t have  our kids with us and barely saw any there. With kids in tow, bring something to keep them busy, fed and hydrated.

St Peters Basilica

*Have you attended the Papal Audience? If you haven’t, would you attend it?

28 thoughts on “Vatican Papal Audience: Our Close Encounter with the Pope”

  1. Not being Catholic, I have never thought of booking tickets to a Papal Audience but your post has convinced me to do when we are in Rome later this year. It sounds as though you were lucky it was inside and able to get as close as you were. A very moving post Mary

  2. You certainly took a wonderful array of photographs, all of which are great.
    How lucky that the Papal Swiss Guard recognized you as Filipino and spoke, let alone
    letting you take a photo with him. You got some great close-ups of the Pope.

  3. Wow wonderful images, and I am sure treasured memories for you. As part of the Braziliian contingent it looks like you got very good seats. The image of the Pope looking directly at you is fantastic.
    I have just joined Travel Photo Thursday and am already enjoying the ride.

  4. As soon as I saw the title of this post I thought, “Lucky her!!” It must have been such and incredible experience. The one time that I visited the Vatican was as part of a large group package tour, so attempting a Papal Audience wasn’t a possibility. My mom didn’t even have enough time to finish her prayers before it was time to board the bus. I’m also impressed that the guard identified you as Filipino — and that he knew Tagalog!

  5. Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista

    I’m not catholic but can see how this would be a wonderful event for everyone! You got some great pictures of the pope and I especially love the Swiss guard photo.

  6. we saw the Pope wave from his balcony after Sunday Mass when we visited. It reminded me of a Ray Bradbury story about a man who loves chocolate. A priest helps him get over his addiction, so when he visits Rome he stands in the crowd in St. Peter’s Square and holds a chocolate bar up for a papal blessing and mails is to the priest.

  7. That is an amazing experience. I was raised Catholic and this has been something I’ve always wanted to do. You got some fabulous shots! I can just imagine being there to hear the various groups breaking into song. And a side note — St. Catherine of Siena is my patron saint. :)

  8. Wow, wow, wow! I am Catholic and would love to attend a papal audience some time in my life. I have been to Rome and the Vatican and loved it. Loved your story and your experience!

  9. Hi Mary, What a beuatiful experience. Your beautiful narratives gave me goose pimples, especially the part when you describe the crowd’s reaction as the Pope was making his arrival as if he was a rockstar and the part where you said you had an eye contact with him. I know how it feels! I have not met Pope Benedict, but I have the blessing to have seen his predecessor Pope John Paul II. The first time was when I was a 14-year old growing up in the Philippines. He visited the refugee procession zone in my hometown Bataan. As he was leaving in his helicopter, I ran close to his window. He looked down at me and gave me a crossed blessing with his hand. That eye contact is something I’d never forget in my life. It was so powerful that I just stood there crying until someone grabbed me because the chopper had to fly.

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Marisol! So glad to have met another Pinay travel blogger. :-) I love the travels you two have done so far. WOW is all I can say about your experience with Pope John Paul II. I know how you feel about that unforgettable experience. I’m so happy you got to experience that blessed and most special moment. I hope you get to visit Rome soon and attend the papal audience and have another wonderful moment with the new Pope.

  10. Thank you for taking us on your very personal experience – I loved hearing all about it – I am not Catholic but it seems like a very spiritual moment in ones life regardless of their religion!

    Thanks for linking up!

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