St Peter's Square and Basilica
Holy Week in Rome. There are very few examples of Pageantry with a capital ‘P’ grander than Holy Week in Rome.
The Pope himself delivers several masses between Palm Sunday and Easter, and tens of thousands of pilgrims and fellow travelers are on hand to celebrate with him.
The following will give you an idea of what’s going on and when for Easter Week in 2009; most services take place in St Peter’s Square or inside the Basilica (consider a walking tour in Rome to get your bearings, or one of Viator’s Vatican tours if you arrive early enough to avoid the crowds).
You can certainly expect crowds in Rome and the Vatican during Easter Week. But for Catholics and religious-minded travelers (frankly, for anybody and everyone who appreciates ritual and pomp) , the experience of Easter Week is unforgettable.
Palm Sunday (April 5)
Palm Sunday, a sort of prequel, starts off Holy Week in the morning with the Pope’s blessing of the palms in St Peter’s Square. At the end of the mass, the Pope usually sends a special message - the ‘Angelus’ - to the youth of the world.
Holy Thursday (April 9)
After a few days’ break (the Pope will honor his predecessor on Holy Monday), during which you might notice a steadily increasing population density in and around the Vatican, the Easter celebration begins in earnest. On Holy Thursday (also called ‘Maundy Thursday’), the Pope performs a rare morning mass, known as the ‘Mass of the Chrism’, in St Peter’s Basilica (’chrism’ is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, which, once blessed, is used in some of the sacraments). In the evening, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper commemorates Christ’s bathing of the feet of the Apostles.
Good Friday (April 10)
On Good Friday, instead of a mass, choirs sing St John’s version of Christ’s crucifixion. Later that night, the Pope traces the Via Crucis, or Stations of the Cross, from the Colosseum to Palatine Hill. This torch-lit procession is one of the grandest, most solemn things you can witness in Rome.
Saturday
Saturday night is traditionally the time of the Easter Vigil, when the Pope celebrates a late mass in St Peter’s Basilica. This is also traditionally when converts are accepted into the Catholic Church.
Easter Sunday (April 12)
On Easter Sunday, the Pope says mass in St Peter’s Square. Despite the crowds - typically this is the most attended event of Holy Week - you should be able to spot the Holy Father, high above the square on a balcony of the church. At noon, he delivers the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message - ‘to the city and the world - in which the Pope grants forgiveness to those present and to Catholics world wide.
Visiting Rome During Holy Week
Pope Benedict XVI
Although these events are generally free, some require tickets (a must if you want a seat, or in some cases if you want to get in at all). Honestly, it is not easy to get tickets - we’re saying this simply to set your expectations.
For Catholics, this is usually arranged through your bishop. You might also try the American Seminary in Rome. For non-Catholics, it’s a bit dicier, but you might try the American Seminary.
The official Vatican liturgical calendar for Holy Week can be found here.
The Vatican museums (and those throughout Rome) are generally open during Holy Week, with the exceptions of Easter Sunday and the following Monday.
Ideas on spending the rest of your time in the Eternal City can be found in our complete list of things to see and do in Rome.
If you need a place to stay, check out Hotels in Italy on Planetware.com.
March 20th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Hi,
I’m having a lot of trouble finding out if you need tickets to attend the Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Square. I’ve seen info saying you need tickets to get seats but do you need tickets for standing room? Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
March 20th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Hi Steve.
We’ve done a little digging and it seems (though like you, we’re not 100% certain) you need tickets to access the main square on Sunday. It also seems that there is an area that is reserved for general admission, no doubt with less-than-stellar views of the Mass. Sorry we can’t be any more definitive that that. Good luck, and let us know how things turn out.
January 4th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I am coming for Easter week, 2009, where/how do I get tickets to attend the Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday masses @ St. Pietro and the Colloseum? Is there one web site to acquires these tickets? Thank you for your help. Caroline
January 5th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Hi Caroline.
You can try this website for booking tickets to attend the masses. http://www.pnac.org/general/visiting_vatican.htm
January 8th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
It’s a beautiful time of year to be in Rome. It’s definately not easy to get close to the festivities or tickets to the events, but the atmosphere itself is worth the trip. Book accommodations early and make sure to reserve good restaurants for larger groups
January 10th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Yes you do need tickets. There is airport security to enter the square. My wife and I attended Easter 2008. You need to contact the Vatican directly through this fax number…
Prefettura Della Casa Pontificia
011 39 06 6988 5863
This will get you in touch with James M. Harvey, Prefect
I hope this is helpful.
God Bless
January 16th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
I am traveling to Rome for Easter week. The comments about tickets during Easter Sunday are very helpful. Are seats assigned or is it first come first serve with entrance tickets? Also, how early must you arrive to get in to see the Pope deliver mass?
January 29th, 2009 at 9:53 am
we hope to be in Rome Easter week. Is it easy/free to see the Good Friday torch-lit procession? Also, will Vatican tours be possible that week, especially if we hire a guide?
February 17th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I am a non-catholic and want to visit the vatican but not on easter sunday WOuld it be ok to go on April 10 or 11th. SHould i buy tickets ahead of time. will the museums and Sistine chapel be open? WHat do you recommend I do on easter sunday. -Judy
February 18th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Hi Judy. I don’t think there’s any reason not to visit the Vatican during Easter Week — assuming it’s open. The Vatican schedule is subject to change, and some sections will be closed the entire week. And yes, given the crowds, we certainly recommend you book ahead: check out some of our Vatican tours here: http://www.viator.com/Rome/d511/vatican-tours
On Easter Sunday, in Rome? Enjoy the atmosphere! It’s going to be a very festive day, assuming the weather cooperates.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I am going to attentd a mass at Vatican City I Just Want To know the timings on the April 5 masses
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
My wife and I will be in Rome from the 8th to the 16th of April. We contacted the Chancery office of our Archdiocese to request tickets. They could not have been nicer. They called me and asked for my wife’s name and said that they would fulfill my request. A few days later, I heard from them that they faxed my request to the Visitor’s Office at the North American College and I could pick up the tix there. We will have tix for the Mass on Easter and for a Papal Audience on Wednesday. The Way of the Cross at the Coliseum does not require tix.
I do have some questions. How early should we show up for the Mass on Easter and for the Way of the Cross? I can guess that it should be EARLY.)
Is using the Metro practical for getting to the Vatican? I see that the Coliseum has a Metro station but I don’t believe I saw one for the Vatican.
Is Easter Monday a big holiday in Rome so that stores are closed and basically things are shut down?
Thanks for any assistance.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:32 am
I have been having trouble faxing my request to the vatican. i am in france and everytime I try the number it does not go through. We have to dial all teh numbers listed correct? 011 39 06 6988 5863. The same number is also on the vatican website. Help!
-Julia