Pilgrim's guide

St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican - pilgrim's guide

Photos: Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA · CC BY 2.0

The basilica built over the tomb of the Apostle Peter is the heart of the Catholic Church and also the place where pilgrims pray at the tomb of St John Paul II. This guide will help you plan your visit, attend a general audience and find time for quiet prayer despite the crowds.

Machine-translated guide.

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Why go

For centuries a pilgrimage to Rome has meant above all the journey to the tomb of Peter, the first of the Apostles. Beneath the basilica's high altar, in the place indicated by tradition, rests the Fisherman of Galilee, surrounded by the tombs of many of his successors. Praying here is a profession of faith in the unity of the Church, which runs from Peter to the Pope of today.

The basilica also has a very personal dimension for many pilgrims. The side Chapel of St Sebastian holds the tomb of St John Paul II, where people, many of them from his native Poland, are almost always praying. Many come here to give thanks for his pontificate, to entrust their family to him or simply to spend a moment in silence near a Pope they remember.

A short history

Around 324 the Emperor Constantine the Great built a five-aisled basilica over the Apostle's tomb. More than a thousand years later the building was in such poor condition that Pope Julius II decided to replace it with a new one. Construction began in 1506 to a design by Bramante, and those who worked on it in turn included Raphael, Michelangelo, who gave the dome its final shape, and Carlo Maderno, who designed the extended nave and the façade. Pope Urban VIII consecrated the basilica on 18 November 1626.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini designed the baldachin over the papal altar and the colonnade that embraces St Peter's Square like open arms. John Paul II died on 2 April 2005 and was buried in the Vatican Grottoes. After his beatification on 1 May 2011 his coffin was moved to the Chapel of St Sebastian in the nave of the basilica. He was canonised on 27 April 2014, and his liturgical memorial falls on 22 October.

Getting there

The most convenient way is to fly to Rome, into Fiumicino or Ciampino airport, both served by many airlines. Some parishes and pilgrimage agencies also organise coach trips, usually with an overnight stop on the way. Within Rome, several simple public transport routes lead to the Vatican.

by metro: line A to Ottaviano or Cipro station, then a walk of a quarter of an hour or so to St Peter's Square
by regional train: the FL3 and FL5 lines stop at Roma San Pietro station, a short walk from the square; from Fiumicino airport you can take a train to Trastevere station and change there
by bus: several city lines run from the Termini station area towards the Vatican; current routes are published by the city transport operator ATAC
by car: central Rome is a limited traffic zone, so it is better to leave your car at your accommodation or in a car park outside the centre

When to go

The basilica is open every day, but its rhythm is set by papal celebrations. On audience days and feast days access to the church may be restricted, so before you travel check the calendar on the websites of the basilica and the Prefecture of the Papal Household. It is quietest early in the morning and outside the peak summer season.

Wednesday - usually the general audience with the Pope, most often in St Peter's Square, or in the Paul VI Audience Hall in bad weather
Sunday at noon - the Angelus with the Pope, no tickets required
22 October - memorial of St John Paul II, a day when especially large numbers of pilgrims, many from Poland, pray at his tomb
29 June - solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of Rome
July - general audiences are usually suspended, and the heat can be oppressive

What to see and experience

the tomb of St John Paul II beneath the altar of the Chapel of St Sebastian, in the right-hand aisle
Michelangelo's Pietà in the first chapel on the right of the entrance, now behind protective glass
the Confessio and the papal altar under Bernini's baldachin, above the site of St Peter's tomb
the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, reserved for prayer only
the Vatican Grottoes with the tombs of popes, through which visitors usually leave the basilica
the Necropolis beneath the nave with the Apostle's tomb, visited only in small groups with advance booking
Michelangelo's dome with views over the square and the city, with a paid entrance and partly on foot up the stairs
the Holy Door, opened only in Jubilee years

Practical information

entry to the basilica is free, but everyone goes through a security check run by the Italian police, with gates on the right-hand side of the square
dress: shoulders and knees covered, no very short clothing and no hats inside; people who are not suitably dressed are not admitted
behaviour: the basilica is a place of prayer, so silence, a silenced phone and no eating or drinking are required; the visitor rules also set out the rules on photography
a separate route for those who come to pray runs along the right-hand aisle, leading among other places to the Pietà, the tomb of John Paul II, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and the place for confession
people with disabilities have a ramped entrance in the right-hand part of the colonnade; special requests can be made in advance through the basilica website
general audience: tickets are completely free and are issued only by the Prefecture of the Papal Household; apply in advance using the official form, and collect the tickets at the office by the Bronze Door under the right-hand colonnade, either the day before the audience or on the morning of the audience
no one may charge for audience tickets; avoid any offers to sell them
opening hours, Masses and dome access: check the basilica website

Accommodation and food

Around the Vatican and throughout Rome there are many pilgrim houses run by religious congregations, as well as hotels and guesthouses of every category. Prices near the square tend to be higher, so many pilgrims stay in districts well served by the metro and travel in in the morning. For food, it is best to go a few streets away from the square, where ordinary local trattorias and bakeries are easier to find.

Tips from pilgrims

come as early in the morning as you can - the queue for the security check grows by the hour and is often longest in the middle of the day
on audience days arrive at the square well in advance, as the entry check takes time and the best places fill up quickly
if you are not attending the audience, plan your visit to the basilica for a day other than Wednesday
carry a light scarf or shawl to cover your shoulders; it does happen that someone is turned away after a long wait in the queue
paid skip-the-line vouchers do not bypass the security check and do not always shorten the wait
the tomb of John Paul II is usually crowded, but a moment of prayer is possible; it is often quieter just after the basilica opens
on hot days bring water and a hat for the wait in the square, which has no shade at all

On foot and on the trail

The basilica is the destination of the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrim route from northern Europe to Rome. Pilgrims who have walked at least the last 100 km and have a stamped credential can receive a commemorative Testimonium confirming their pilgrimage. It is issued at the entrance for those who come to pray; check the current rules and collection point before setting out.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a ticket for the general audience with the Pope?

Tickets are free. Send a request in advance to the Prefecture of the Papal Household using its official online form, and collect the tickets in person at the office by the Bronze Door, under the right-hand colonnade of St Peter's Square, the day before or on the morning of the audience. Parish groups are often registered by the pilgrimage organiser.

Where exactly is the tomb of St John Paul II?

In the Chapel of St Sebastian, in the right-hand aisle of the basilica, not far from the Pietà. The coffin rests beneath the chapel altar. From 2005 to 2011 the tomb was in the Vatican Grottoes.

Do I have to pay to enter St Peter's Basilica?

No, entry to the basilica is free. Only additional areas, such as the dome, the Treasury Museum or a tour of the Necropolis, are paid and are booked on the basilica website.

How should I dress for the basilica?

Modestly: shoulders and knees must be covered, and hats must be removed inside. This applies to both women and men. The guards at the entrance turn away people in shorts or sleeveless tops.

Can I see the tomb of St Peter?

Yes, on a tour of the Necropolis beneath the basilica, in small guided groups and with advance booking. Places go quickly, so apply well ahead.

Do I need a ticket for the Sunday Angelus?

No. For the Sunday noon prayer with the Pope, just come to St Peter's Square, allowing time for the security check at the entrance.