The papal audience at a glance
The general audience is the Pope's weekly meeting with pilgrims and visitors. When he is in Rome, Pope Leo XIV holds it on Wednesday mornings, usually at 10:00 am in St. Peter's Square. In the hottest weeks and in winter or bad weather, it can move into St. Peter's Basilica or the Paul VI Audience Hall next to the Vatican.
Tickets are always free. They are issued by the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Vatican office that organises papal events. Any website that charges you for the ticket itself is selling something else, such as a guided tour or an assistance service.
How to get free papal audience tickets
Four steps from planning to your seat.
1. Check the calendar
The Pope's schedule is published on vatican.va. Audiences pause for some weeks in summer (in 2026 there were none in July) and are cancelled during papal trips.
2. Request your tickets
Apply through the ticket portal of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, linked from the "tickets for audiences and celebrations" page on vatican.va. Choose the date and the number of people. Apply several weeks ahead, especially for groups.
3. Keep your confirmation
The confirmation tells you where and when to collect the tickets. Bring it with you to Rome, printed or on your phone.
4. Collect at the Bronze Door
Tickets are handed out by the Swiss Guards at the Bronze Door, under the right-hand colonnade of St. Peter's Square, usually the afternoon before or on the morning of the audience.
What happens at the papal audience
Security gates open early in the morning, and the seated areas fill up well before the start. Plan to arrive about two hours early if you want a good seat. You will pass a security check similar to the one for the basilica.
Before the audience begins, the Pope often rides through the square in the open popemobile, which is the best moment to see him up close. Seats along the barriers between the sections are the most sought after.
The audience itself follows a fixed order. The Pope gives a catechesis in Italian, a short teaching on a theme (in 2026 a series on the documents of the Second Vatican Council). Summaries follow in several languages, and groups present in the square are greeted by name. The audience ends with the Our Father and the Apostolic Blessing, which also covers religious objects you bring with you.
When the audience is held in the square, you can usually also follow it without a ticket from the open area at the back, standing. In the Paul VI Hall a ticket is essential.
Papal audience and Vatican tours
Tours that combine the papal audience with St. Peter's Basilica, plus Vatican tours for the rest of the day, with live prices and availability.
Tips for audience day
How to make the most of a Wednesday at the Vatican.
Dress code
Shoulders and knees covered, as in the basilica. If you want to go into St. Peter's afterwards, men need long trousers.
Vatican dress code →Bring
Water, a sun hat and sunscreen in summer, a light jacket or umbrella in spring and autumn. There is little shade in the square.
After the audience
The basilica is crowded right after the audience ends. The Vatican Museums are open as usual, so it can be a good moment to head there instead.
Vatican Museums tickets →No Wednesday?
On Sundays at noon the Pope prays the Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace above the square. No ticket needed.
Papal events and hours →Papal audience: frequently asked questions
Are papal audience tickets free?
Yes. Tickets are always free and are issued by the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Companies that charge money are selling a tour or a service, not the ticket.
What time is the papal audience?
Usually on Wednesdays at 10:00 am. Arrive about two hours earlier to get through security and find a seat.
Where do I pick up papal audience tickets?
At the Bronze Door under the right-hand colonnade of St. Peter's Square, from the Swiss Guards. Collection times are in your confirmation, usually the afternoon before or the morning of the audience.
Can I attend the papal audience without a ticket?
When it takes place in St. Peter's Square, you can usually watch from the open area at the back, standing. For a seat, or when the audience is in the Paul VI Hall, you need a ticket.
Is there a papal audience every Wednesday?
Most Wednesdays when the Pope is in Rome, but not during the summer break or papal trips. Always check the calendar on vatican.va before you travel.