See the pope

If you are in Vatican City, then you should definitely see the Pope and hear him speak. Every Wednesday mornings at 10:30 AM while the Pope is in residence he spends summers at Castel Gandolfo outside the city, he holds an audience. If the weather is fine, then he'll hold this general audience in St Peter's Square; otherwise it takes place in the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall.

In order to get tickets to the Papal Audience you will need to make your request in writing to the Prefecture of the Papal Household at least 10 days in advance. Tickets are free and need to be picked up either on the day prior to the Audience or in the morning of the Audience. The Audience with the Pope consists of small teachings and readings mainly in Italian but also in English, French, German, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese and sometimes other languages depending on groups visiting. The Pope will do a greeting in each language and special visiting groups, Choirs etc from various countries will get a mention.

At the end of the Audience the Pope will pray together with those attending the Audience, the Our Father prayer in Latin. This Prayer is normally printed on the back of the Papal Audience Ticket. At the end of the Prayer as Head of the Catholic Church he will impart his Apostolic Blessing upon the crowd which also extends to loved ones that are sick and suffering and blesses any religious articles such as rosary beads that people have brought with them for the purpose of the blessing.

Be expected to join clusters of Catholic devotees, and flocks of camera-waving tourists. The atmosphere is akin to a sporting event. The devotees from all over the world wave flags and there are spontaneous eruptions of song and music.