About the Papal Audience
On most Wednesday mornings, the Holy Father holds a General Audience, welcoming all pilgrims in Rome who wish to see him and pray together. These audiences typically take place in St. Peter’s Square, which can accommodate around 10,000 people. However, during the hot summer months and colder winter periods, the audience is moved indoors to the Paul VI Audience Hall, which has a capacity of approximately 6,000. Please note that there are usually no audiences in July or on major Solemnities, when the Holy Father presides over a public Mass instead. Due to limited seating, tickets are required for attendance, but they are always provided free of charge.
The Papal Audience is not a Mass, but rather a time of catechesis and prayer. Usually, it begins with a short reading from Sacred Scripture. After that, the Holy Father gives a homily based on the reading. When the Holy Father has finished his speech, shorter summaries of what he said are offered in eight major languages. The Audience then concludes with the Holy Father giving his Apostolic Blessing.
Sposi Novelli Newly Married Couples
Newly married couples (sposi novelli) who had their wedding in the Catholic Church and wish to attend a Wednesday Papal Audience may often be seated in a special section. To be eligible, couples should have been married within two months of the audience they plan to attend, though in some cases, exceptions of up to one year may be allowed. They must also bring a copy of their Sacramental Marriage Certificate, signed by the priest or deacon who officiated their wedding. To sit in the sposi novelli section, couples are expected to wear their wedding attire or similar clothing—such as a long white dress with covered shoulders for the bride and a suit with a jacket and tie for the groom. If your wedding attire was traditional to your culture, you may wear that instead. The Holy Father will impart a blessing for your married life as part of his general blessing at the end of the audience. Occasionally, some couples may also have the special opportunity to greet the Holy Father personally after the audience.
Tickets for the Papal Audiences must be requested through the Prefecture of the Papal Household. To request tickets please visit: Prefecture of the Papal Household
