How can you see the Pope at the Vatican?
Updated October 28, 2026
Quick answer
There are two regular occasions: the Angelus, which the Pope prays in public every Sunday at noon, usually from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace above St. Peter's Square, and the Wednesday general audience, with a free ticket you request from the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Masses the Pope presides over also have free tickets.
The current Pope is Leo XIV. His schedule changes every week, so this page gives no dates: the calendar of the Prefecture of the Papal Household and the Holy See's calendar of liturgical celebrations are the ones that say what is on and when. What does not change is the underlying rule: tickets for the Pope's general audiences and celebrations are always free.
The Sunday Angelus
The Pope prays the Angelus in public every Sunday at noon, usually from the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, which overlooks St. Peter's Square. During the Easter season, from Easter Sunday, the Regina Coeli is prayed instead of the Angelus. The Holy See's tickets page covers general audiences and liturgical celebrations; the Angelus is not among them, because you follow it from the square, looking up at the window of the Apostolic Palace. If you want to get your bearings first, see the St. Peter's Square guide.
The Wednesday audience
The general audience is the Pope's weekly meeting with the faithful, and the calendar of the Prefecture of the Papal Household places it on Wednesdays. The ticket is free: lay faithful request it at eventi.pontificalisdomus.va, the Prefecture's system, for whichever date shows as open. Tour operators warn that St. Peter's Basilica closes on Wednesday mornings for the audience, so that day it is best to leave the basilica for the afternoon. All the details are in the papal audience guide.
Masses and celebrations with the Pope
Liturgical celebrations the Pope presides over are booked the same way as audiences: lay faithful request the free ticket from the Prefecture of the Papal Household, and concelebrating bishops, priests and deacons at biglietti.liturgiepontificie.va. Registration opens only when the official calendar of celebrations is published. If there is no room, the Holy See streams audiences and ceremonies live on its website. For the basilica's daily Masses, which need no ticket, see Mass at the Vatican.
Tickets: always free
The Holy See says so on its booking page: tickets for the Holy Father's general audiences and liturgical celebrations are always free. If a website or a street seller charges you for a ticket to see the Pope, what they are selling is a service, such as a guide or a transfer, not the ticket. Request yours directly from the Prefecture and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees if you are going into the basilica afterward. Check the Vatican dress code.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the Pope pray the Angelus?
At noon on Sundays, usually from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace, above St. Peter's Square. In the Easter season the Regina Coeli is prayed instead.
How much does it cost to see the Pope?
Nothing. Tickets for the Pope's general audiences and celebrations are always free, and the Angelus is followed from the square.
How do you get tickets to see the Pope?
Lay faithful request them from the Prefecture of the Papal Household, at eventi.pontificalisdomus.va, when registration opens for the date you want.
Who is the current Pope?
Leo XIV. Check the Holy See's calendar to see which audiences and celebrations he has planned each week.
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