Masses at the Vatican
(If ever tickets are indicated as required, they are never charged any fee. They are for reservation purposes and always free. Regular schedules may change when there are Papal activities inside the Basilica or on St. Peter’s Square – for example, during the Wednesday morning Audience or special celebrations. Click here to check the Holy Father’s calendar.)
1. Early in the morning, between 7:00-8:00 a.m., one may usually join the Masses celebrated by priests individually or in small groups. Just ask the guards where the sacristy is, and as you see the priests coming out of the sacristy, ask them in what language they will celebrate, and if you may attend.
2. Later in the day, Masses are regularly celebrated by different priests, mostly in Italian or Latin, almost every hour in the morning, and two Mass in the afternoon, at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Click here for Mass schedules at St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican).
3. To attend the Holy Father’s Masses and other activities, reservations may be made at the Prefecture of the Papal Household.
4. To concelebrate (clergy) in the Holy Father’s Masses and other activities, an account must be created first (scanned celebret required), after which the reservation may be made, all at this link.
5. Priests may celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica with a group (but not individually by himself) indicating the celebrant’s name and contacts, as well as the number of concelebrant priests and lay faithful, and the language for the Mass (bring your own Missal and readings if celebrating in non-major European languages). In the space for the note, you may request the use of special Altars in the Crypt such as the Cappella Clementina (up to 10 persons only; this is where St. Peter’s tomb is), those of Pope John Paul II, Pope John XXIII, Pope Pius X, etc. Reserve at this link.
a) Masses may start at 7:15 or 8:15 am. on any day except on Wednesdays when the Holy Father gives an Audience outdoors on St. Peter’s Square, and on other days with celebrations at St. Peter’s Basilica or St. Peter’s Square.
b) On the scheduled day, priests should bring their celebret. The Sacristy will provide the liturgical vestments, vessels, linens, and liturgical books in the language you requested. Concelebrant priests, if three or more, should kindly bring their own alb and stole.
c) Loud singing is not allowed, since chapels are near each other.
d) A simple renewal of vows with an exchange of rings may be done after the homily (but without bringing in flowers, candles, cords, veils, etc.) using a prepared text (find and replace names, modify first and third lines, and modify third page information). Make sure the anniversary they are celebrating is their Church wedding, by asking in what parish they were wed, and who the officiating Priest was, if they remember.
e) For further questions, call +39 06 6988 1496.