The Vatican is a must see for most in Rome. Therefore, a few tips for those who not only want to visit the Vatican, but also see the Pope (from a very close distance).
A simple tourist can see the Pontiff at three events:
• public audience (held on Wednesday mornings);
• mass;
• angelius (a sermon and prayer that the Pontifex reads every Sunday from the window of the Apostolic Palace in front of the people gathered in the square).
The schedule of public events attended by the Pontifex is printed in advance on the website of the Prefecture of the Papal See http://www. vatican. va/various/prefettura/en/udienze_en.html
Entry to Angelius is free. Tickets are required to enter the public audience and mass. Tickets are free, but you need to write a letter to the Prefecture of the Pontifical See to get them. To do this, you need to select the event with the participation of the Pope that you want to attend, and then fill out a special letter form.
Forms can be downloaded here - http://www. vatican. va/various/prefettura/en/biglietti_en.html
This link also indicates exactly where to send letters. Option two:
1. fax;
2. letter by mail.
Sending by e-mail or using messengers is not provided.
Letters must be sent in advance. The form must be filled out for each event separately, you can send it in one envelope. I sent in a month. But I think the sooner the better. Especially if you want to get to the festive mass.
I first sent a letter by mail. 3 weeks have passed with no response. Then I duplicated the letter by fax. A couple of days later, an e-mail was sent, in which the invitation numbers were indicated. I sent requests to attend the December 11 audience and the December 12 mass in the hope that they would give me a ticket to at least one event. But, they sent invitations to both events.
Literally 2 days later, a second letter came from the Vatican, in which information on invitations was duplicated, and an addition was made that tickets had been allocated to me earlier. Therefore, we can conclude that a letter has arrived both sent by mail and sent by fax.
The letter sent by e-mail must be printed or saved on a smartphone. By this letter receive free tickets.
Tickets are issued the day before the event - in the afternoon (until about 18-00) you should come to the Vatican and go to the bronze door at the beginning of Bernini's right colonnade. Approach the guards - show the letter, go through the metal detector frame and go into the bronze door. Present a letter with invitation numbers and receive envelopes with tickets. Envelopes are nominal, tickets are not. Look at what exactly they gave you. I was given only invitations to an audience, but they forgot to attend Mass. In the end, I had to return.
Security passes quietly, but the Swiss guards are watching carefully and immediately block the path - you need to explain the reason for the return.
The audience starts at 9:30. In winter, it takes place in a special hall for audiences, in summer - on the square. We approached the square at 7 am (we thought we were going early) and were stunned by the crowd. The entrance is blocked, there is no civilized queue - everyone stands chaotically. Some hucksters were selling free tickets in the crowd (I don't know how many they asked). They began to make their way closer to the entrance.
At about 7:30 the guards began to let people into the square. We trotted lightly into the audience hall. We took a seat somewhere in the middle not far from the central aisle. The trick is that during the audience and Mass you need to take seats next to the central aisle. It is on him that the Pontifex goes.
I thought it would be exhausting to sit and wait for the audience to begin, but it was interesting. You really feel like a citizen of the world.
Around people from all over the world - Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North and South America. This is the first time we have come across such an environment. Everyone is trying to represent their culture and emphasize their national identity. We also decided that when we go next time we will take a flag with us and put on embroidered shirts)))
The hall is designed for 6.3 thousand seats. Was filled completely. When the Pontifex enters the hall, everyone jumps out of their seats and crowds at the aisle, many stand on chairs with their feet.
Therefore, Life hack number 1: do not wear white clothes and do not take bags with you that you cannot put on yourself - it is possible that someone will stomp on your chair and your things left on the chair.
During the audience, there is a list of groups of pilgrims who came from different countries. The sight is funny - they call a group and these people get up, shout, clap, showing themselves.
From what was said at the audience, we partially understood only English and Polish. But, it wasn't boring. The atmosphere itself is very positive.
The event was not delayed - sermons were read, groups of pilgrims were listed, then artists of the Moscow circus were invited to the stage for a performance. They showed elementary acrobatic numbers, but the audience was so happy with them, as if they were demonstrating something incredible.
Then the Pope blessed everyone, wished everyone a Merry Christmas, and that was the end of the audience. It was possible to disperse, but practically no one left - everyone was waiting for the Pope to re-pass through the hall, when he could be seen at arm's length. I had to wait an hour and a half and it was tedious and tiring. After the official part of the audience, the Pontifex went to the people))) In front of the stage there were a row of 3 wheelchair users - he went around everyone.
Then it was the turn of the newlyweds (there were several couples in wedding suits) and organized groups - police officers, volunteers, a children's football team and someone else. In general, Papa worked like a superstar at fan meetings - taking pictures, smiling, etc. Considering that he is 83 years old - one can only admire his endurance and patience.
The next day we had a mass scheduled, which began at 18-00. We decided to go to the Vatican Museums in the morning and from them immediately to mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Museum tickets were bought in advance. We took the earliest time - at 9-00.
Life hack number 2: if you want to sit relatively calmly in the Sistine Chapel, when there is no wild crowd in it, that it will even be crowded, buy tickets to the Vatican Museums at the earliest possible time. Come in and, without stopping anywhere, quickly go to the Sistine Chapel. Then return to the entrance and start visiting the museums.
Life hack number 3: the audio guide in the Vatican Museums is specific - it resembles a healthy tube from an ancient telephone. There are no headphones. Therefore, if you do not want to go to museums with a tube to your ear, take your headphones. As far as my memory serves me, there was a headphone jack in the audio guide.
Life hack #4: You can eat and drink coffee cheaply in the Vatican Museums. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. Basically everywhere they offer a set menu. We took in a pizzeria: a large piece of quite decent pizza, french fries + 0.5 l of Coca-Cola - 10 euros. There is not only fast food, but also whole foods. However, everyone basically goes to the pizzeria.
Taking into account lunch and bypassing souvenir shops (we quietly lowered 100 euros for all sorts of little things - there would be more financial opportunities, we would spend more, so there is where to roam - gold, jewelry, etc. ) we spent 7 hours in the Vatican Museums.
Unfortunately, we did not get into the Carriage Pavilion, which was closed for repairs.
Therefore, Life hack number 5: do not take excursions that offer to see the Vatican in 2 hours. During this time, nothing can be seen normally. Grab an audio guide and walk around on your own.
Now a little about the mass, which was held in Spanish and was dedicated to the icon of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, which was specially brought from Mexico. We expected that we could get to St. Peter's Basilica through the Vatican Museums. But, apparently because of the Mass, the passage was closed. Arriving at the square 2 hours before the start, we saw a giant queue that almost completely encircled the square. Luckily, the line moved quickly enough. We managed to take more or less decent places near the aisle. Sat surrounded by nuns)))
The mass makes a grand impression, and many Latin American songs make it look like a concert.
At the entrance, each visitor is given books with lyrics and notes. Very spectacular passage of the Pope with his retinue through the Cathedral.
Again, I want to note the atmosphere - pleasant and friendly. If we take the whole audience that was present at the Mass, to some extent we were a foreign body. But, at the same time, we felt absolutely comfortable and enjoyed what was happening. I liked how everyone shook hands during the Mass.
We decided that the next time we were in Rome, we would definitely try to get to the mass and to the audience again.
The video of the audience can be viewed here – https://www. vaticannews. va/ru/pope-francis/papal-audience/2019-12/obshchaya-audienciya-11-dekabrya- 2019.html
Video of the mass can be viewed here - https://www. vaticannews. va/ru/pope/news/2019-12/papa-sovershil-messu-v-prazdnik-bogorodicy-gvadelup skoj.html
Well, a few words about St. Peter's Cathedral. The entrance to the Basilica is free. You buy only an audio guide and a ticket to the treasury. It's something like 10 euros. If you climb the dome, you will also have to buy a ticket.
To calmly walk around the Cathedral (without climbing to the dome), listening to the audio guide, you need 3 hours.
A simple tourist can see the Pontiff at three events:
• public audience (held on Wednesday mornings);
• mass;
• angelius (a sermon and prayer that the Pontifex reads every Sunday from the window of the Apostolic Palace in front of the people gathered in the square).
The schedule of public events attended by the Pontifex is printed in advance on the website of the Prefecture of the Papal See http://www. vatican. va/various/prefettura/en/udienze_en.html
Entry to Angelius is free. Tickets are required to enter the public audience and mass. Tickets are free, but you need to write a letter to the Prefecture of the Pontifical See to get them. To do this, you need to select the event with the participation of the Pope that you want to attend, and then fill out a special letter form.
Forms can be downloaded here - http://www. vatican. va/various/prefettura/en/biglietti_en.html
This link also indicates exactly where to send letters. Option two:
1. fax;
2. letter by mail.
Sending by e-mail or using messengers is not provided.
Letters must be sent in advance. The form must be filled out for each event separately, you can send it in one envelope. I sent in a month. But I think the sooner the better. Especially if you want to get to the festive mass.
I first sent a letter by mail. 3 weeks have passed with no response. Then I duplicated the letter by fax. A couple of days later, an e-mail was sent, in which the invitation numbers were indicated. I sent requests to attend the December 11 audience and the December 12 mass in the hope that they would give me a ticket to at least one event. But, they sent invitations to both events.
Literally 2 days later, a second letter came from the Vatican, in which information on invitations was duplicated, and an addition was made that tickets had been allocated to me earlier. Therefore, we can conclude that a letter has arrived both sent by mail and sent by fax.
The letter sent by e-mail must be printed or saved on a smartphone. By this letter receive free tickets.
Tickets are issued the day before the event - in the afternoon (until about 18-00) you should come to the Vatican and go to the bronze door at the beginning of Bernini's right colonnade. Approach the guards - show the letter, go through the metal detector frame and go into the bronze door. Present a letter with invitation numbers and receive envelopes with tickets. Envelopes are nominal, tickets are not. Look at what exactly they gave you. I was given only invitations to an audience, but they forgot to attend Mass. In the end, I had to return.
Security passes quietly, but the Swiss guards are watching carefully and immediately block the path - you need to explain the reason for the return.
The audience starts at 9:30. In winter, it takes place in a special hall for audiences, in summer - on the square. We approached the square at 7 am (we thought we were going early) and were stunned by the crowd. The entrance is blocked, there is no civilized queue - everyone stands chaotically. Some hucksters were selling free tickets in the crowd (I don't know how many they asked). They began to make their way closer to the entrance.
At about 7:30 the guards began to let people into the square. We trotted lightly into the audience hall. We took a seat somewhere in the middle not far from the central aisle. The trick is that during the audience and Mass you need to take seats next to the central aisle. It is on him that the Pontifex goes.
I thought it would be exhausting to sit and wait for the audience to begin, but it was interesting. You really feel like a citizen of the world.
Around people from all over the world - Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North and South America. This is the first time we have come across such an environment. Everyone is trying to represent their culture and emphasize their national identity. We also decided that when we go next time we will take a flag with us and put on embroidered shirts)))
The hall is designed for 6.3 thousand seats. Was filled completely. When the Pontifex enters the hall, everyone jumps out of their seats and crowds at the aisle, many stand on chairs with their feet.
Therefore, Life hack number 1: do not wear white clothes and do not take bags with you that you cannot put on yourself - it is possible that someone will stomp on your chair and your things left on the chair.
During the audience, there is a list of groups of pilgrims who came from different countries. The sight is funny - they call a group and these people get up, shout, clap, showing themselves.
From what was said at the audience, we partially understood only English and Polish. But, it wasn't boring. The atmosphere itself is very positive.
The event was not delayed - sermons were read, groups of pilgrims were listed, then artists of the Moscow circus were invited to the stage for a performance. They showed elementary acrobatic numbers, but the audience was so happy with them, as if they were demonstrating something incredible.
Then the Pope blessed everyone, wished everyone a Merry Christmas, and that was the end of the audience. It was possible to disperse, but practically no one left - everyone was waiting for the Pope to re-pass through the hall, when he could be seen at arm's length. I had to wait an hour and a half and it was tedious and tiring. After the official part of the audience, the Pontifex went to the people))) In front of the stage there were a row of 3 wheelchair users - he went around everyone.
Then it was the turn of the newlyweds (there were several couples in wedding suits) and organized groups - police officers, volunteers, a children's football team and someone else. In general, Papa worked like a superstar at fan meetings - taking pictures, smiling, etc. Considering that he is 83 years old - one can only admire his endurance and patience.
The next day we had a mass scheduled, which began at 18-00. We decided to go to the Vatican Museums in the morning and from them immediately to mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Museum tickets were bought in advance. We took the earliest time - at 9-00.
Life hack number 2: if you want to sit relatively calmly in the Sistine Chapel, when there is no wild crowd in it, that it will even be crowded, buy tickets to the Vatican Museums at the earliest possible time. Come in and, without stopping anywhere, quickly go to the Sistine Chapel. Then return to the entrance and start visiting the museums.
Life hack number 3: the audio guide in the Vatican Museums is specific - it resembles a healthy tube from an ancient telephone. There are no headphones. Therefore, if you do not want to go to museums with a tube to your ear, take your headphones. As far as my memory serves me, there was a headphone jack in the audio guide.
Life hack #4: You can eat and drink coffee cheaply in the Vatican Museums. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. Basically everywhere they offer a set menu. We took in a pizzeria: a large piece of quite decent pizza, french fries + 0.5 l of Coca-Cola - 10 euros. There is not only fast food, but also whole foods. However, everyone basically goes to the pizzeria.
Taking into account lunch and bypassing souvenir shops (we quietly lowered 100 euros for all sorts of little things - there would be more financial opportunities, we would spend more, so there is where to roam - gold, jewelry, etc. ) we spent 7 hours in the Vatican Museums.
Unfortunately, we did not get into the Carriage Pavilion, which was closed for repairs.
Therefore, Life hack number 5: do not take excursions that offer to see the Vatican in 2 hours. During this time, nothing can be seen normally. Grab an audio guide and walk around on your own.
Now a little about the mass, which was held in Spanish and was dedicated to the icon of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, which was specially brought from Mexico. We expected that we could get to St. Peter's Basilica through the Vatican Museums. But, apparently because of the Mass, the passage was closed. Arriving at the square 2 hours before the start, we saw a giant queue that almost completely encircled the square. Luckily, the line moved quickly enough. We managed to take more or less decent places near the aisle. Sat surrounded by nuns)))
The mass makes a grand impression, and many Latin American songs make it look like a concert.
At the entrance, each visitor is given books with lyrics and notes. Very spectacular passage of the Pope with his retinue through the Cathedral.
Again, I want to note the atmosphere - pleasant and friendly. If we take the whole audience that was present at the Mass, to some extent we were a foreign body. But, at the same time, we felt absolutely comfortable and enjoyed what was happening. I liked how everyone shook hands during the Mass.
We decided that the next time we were in Rome, we would definitely try to get to the mass and to the audience again.
The video of the audience can be viewed here – https://www. vaticannews. va/ru/pope-francis/papal-audience/2019-12/obshchaya-audienciya-11-dekabrya- 2019.html
Video of the mass can be viewed here - https://www. vaticannews. va/ru/pope/news/2019-12/papa-sovershil-messu-v-prazdnik-bogorodicy-gvadelup skoj.html
Well, a few words about St. Peter's Cathedral. The entrance to the Basilica is free. You buy only an audio guide and a ticket to the treasury. It's something like 10 euros. If you climb the dome, you will also have to buy a ticket.
To calmly walk around the Cathedral (without climbing to the dome), listening to the audio guide, you need 3 hours.
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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