How do you attend Mass at the Vatican?

Mass times at St. Peter's

St. Peter's Basilica publishes this schedule on its official website. On weekdays, Masses are celebrated at the altar of St. Joseph, in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and at the altar of the Chair. On Sundays and holy days, Lauds and capitular Vespers in the Choir Chapel are added. The basilica states that on Saturdays and Sundays Mass is celebrated in Italian. Check the schedule the day before: the basilica can close without notice for ceremonies.

• Weekdays — 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. (altar of St. Joseph), 8:30 a.m. (Blessed Sacrament Chapel), 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. (altar of St. Joseph), 11:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. (altar of the Chair).
• Sundays and holy days — 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. (altar of St. Joseph), 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (capitular Mass), 12:30, 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. (altar of the Chair).

Masses with the Pope: how to get a place

Tickets for the Holy Father's liturgical celebrations and for general audiences are always free, the Holy See points out. Lay faithful request them from the Prefecture of the Papal Household, at eventi.pontificalisdomus.va. Concelebrating bishops, priests and deacons book at biglietti.liturgiepontificie.va. Registration opens only when the official calendar of celebrations is published, so do not look for dates before then. Anyone selling you a ticket for a papal Mass is selling you a service, not the ticket. If you cannot get a place, the Holy See streams the celebrations live on its website.

If you are going to pray, not to visit

The basilica sets aside a dedicated access route for people going to pray or to take part in a celebration. You go to the designated access point, identify yourself, and staff accompany you to the prayer area and then to the exit. If you want to visit the basilica afterward, you go back in through the ordinary entrances. Everyone first passes the security checks under the right-hand colonnade of St. Peter's Square. The basilica opens at 7:00 a.m. every day.

Rules for going in

St. Peter's Basilica asks for covered shoulders, long trousers or below the knee and skirts below the knee, with no hats. Inside, you speak only as much as needed and quietly, with your phone on silent, and you cannot eat, drink, smoke or bring animals. The basilica asks visitors not to take photos so as not to disturb celebrations. There is no cloakroom, so go without luggage. You will find the details in our Vatican dress code guide.