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What You Need to Know About Attending a Papal Audience

One of the highlights of traveling on a Pilgrimage to Rome is the opportunity to attend a Papal Audience with the Holy Father. These audiences typically take place every Wednesday but may vary depending on the Pope’s schedule. During the audience, the faithful have the opportunity to see the Holy Father in person, learn from his teaching, and receive a Papal Blessing.

Your 206 Tours Account Manager will handle all the details of securing your tickets for the Papal Audience. Seating for the audience is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Many pilgrims arrive hours in advance. Our experienced, professional tour guides will assist your group in arriving early to secure the best seats possible.

There is also the option to have preferred seating in the rows up front, but this is typically reserved for select groups of pilgrims. These include newlyweds, those with disabilities, significant milestones (such as a 50^th wedding anniversary), or religious orders / groups. Those pilgrims traveling with a religious group may have the opportunity to have the order / religious group’s Superior write the Vatican to request permission for special seating in advance. These requests are sent to the prefecture of the Papal Household, who will determine if the request is approved or not. More information regarding this process can be found by visiting: www.vatican.va/various/prefettura/en/profilo_en.html. If you have any questions about whether you or your Pilgrimage group may be eligible for preferred seating, we encourage you to contact your 206 Tours Account Manager.

During the spring, summer, and autumn months, the Papal Audience takes place outside in St. Peter’s Square. In the winter or during inclement weather, it is typically moved inside to the Audience Hall. The Audience typically begins around 9:00 AM with the Holy Father being driven around the Square to greet and bless pilgrims. Many pilgrims bring religious articles to be blessed by the Holy Father.

Audiences may not be held in July due to the Pope’s summer break, and in August, they may be held at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence, depending on his schedule. For 2025, the Vatican’s calendar had confirmed General Audiences for June 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, with Extraordinary Jubilee Audiences on Saturdays, June 14^th and September 6^th , as part of the Jubilee Year.

During the Audience, the Holy Father typically will address the pilgrims with a brief teaching about the faith. He will also read aloud the name of the groups that are present that day. Your 206 Tours Account Manager will ensure that your group’s name will be sent in advance. There are also choirs present from around the world who typically perform. The Holy Father will bless the pilgrims in a variety of languages. Please note that Holy Mass is not celebrated during the Papal Audiences.

The Audience typically lasts about 1 ½ hours and it is an unforgettable experience for all who are present. Having the opportunity to see the Vicar of Christ and receive His blessing in the same place where St. Peter is buried is a remarkable grace.

For groups who are in Rome on a Sunday, there is another opportunity to see the Holy Father during the prayer of the Angelus. Pilgrims gather in St. Peter’s Square at 12:00 PM on Sunday. After the prayer of the Angelus, the pilgrims receive the Holy Father’s blessing. The event typically last 15–20 minutes.

Are you interested in attending a Papal Audience? Join a Pilgrimage to Rome with 206 Tours and see Pope Leo XIV in person: www.206tours.com/pope

View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages