Have you ever wondered what it feels like to worship in one of the most magnificent churches on Earth?
Attending Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica offers a spiritual experience unlike any other.
As you walk through its grand entrance, you will come across incredible artwork and architecture that have stood for centuries.
Every year, over ten million pilgrims visit the Basilica to receive blessings directly from the Pope during his Holy Mass celebrations.
In this article, we will guide you through essential details about daily and papal mass timings, ticket booking information, confession schedules, and much more.
Types of Masses at St. Peter’s Basilica
1. Daily Mass: These are held in different chapels throughout the Basilica, usually in the morning. They offer a quieter, more personal experience for those looking to worship.
2. Papal Mass: This is the big event where the Pope himself leads the Mass. It happens on special occasions, such as religious holidays, major feasts, or significant church events.
3. Vigil Mass: This Mass is typically held on the eve of significant feast days and lets you celebrate in anticipation of the special occasion.
4. Sunday Mass: St. Peter’s Basilica holds special Masses on Sundays, where many pilgrims and visitors come to worship. These services often include a more elaborate liturgy.
5. Funeral Mass: Occasionally, the Basilica holds funeral Masses for prominent figures or dignitaries. These services are deeply solemn and reflect the grandeur of the setting.
6. Midnight Mass: The basilica also holds a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, making it one of the most anticipated services of the year.
St. Peter’s Basilica Mass Times for 2024
The weekday and weekend masses follow a completely different timetable, so here are all the details you need to know so you don’t miss the service!
The masses mentioned in this section do not have the Pope as the main celebrant, so scroll to the next section if you want to attend mass by the Pope.
Weekday Mass Times
7 am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph
7.30 am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph
8.30 am: Holy Mass in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
9 am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph
10 am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph
11 am: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra
12 pm: Noon Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra
5 pm: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra
6 pm: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra
9 pm: Eucharistic Adoration Altar of the Confessio
Sundays and Public Holiday Mass Times
7 am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph
8 am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph
9 am: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra
10.30 am: Holy Mass Chapter Altar of the Cathedra
12.30 pm: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra
4 pm: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra
5 pm: Vespers Chapter Altar of the Cathedra
6 pm: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra
Related: Guide to see what’s inside St. Peter’s Basilica
Do You Need Tickets for Daily Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica?
You do not need tickets to attend the weekday, Sunday, and other holy day services at the Basilica unless it is presided over by the Pope.
However, you will be expected to stand in the queue and pass through security checks before entering.
Plan your travel timings so that you are sure you can get in since reservations cannot be made in advance.
Duration of Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
The daily masses at the Basilica take at least an hour to complete, as all masses include a sermon.
In case you don’t have an hour to spend, we recommend looking to attend mass in any other Roman Church on weekdays besides St Peter’s Basilica.
If you are attending a Papal Mass, you can expect it to go on for one and a half hours to two hours.
Check out our Visiting Guide on St Peter’s Basilica so you can plan to explore the interiors after attending the holy mass!
Language of the Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
Most masses in the Basilica are organized in Italian, as it is the native language of the country.
A Latin mass is organized daily, but sadly, the sermon will still be given in Italian.
You cannot find any English masses at St. Peter’s Basilica either.
Related: History of St. Peter’s Basilica!
Attending a Papal Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
Attending a Papal Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica is a special experience for many visitors to Vatican City, whether they are religious or not.
Seeing the Pope in person, even from afar, adds a memorable touch to the visit, especially since these masses are not a regular occurrence.
The Pope holds special services at St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square during major festivals like Christmas and Easter, making these moments even more significant for those fortunate enough to attend.
Papal Mass Timings
1 January: 10 am
6 January: 10 am
17 January: 9 am
2 February: 5.30 pm
11 February: 9.30 am
24 March: 9.30 am
28 March: Chrism Mass
31 March: 10 am (Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica)
3 April: 9.30 am
9, 18, 30 May: Timing to be confirmed
24 May: 10 am
29 June: 9:30 am
24 July: Timing to be confirmed
24 December: 7:30 am (Christmas mass at St. Peter’s Basilica)
Note: If you want to see the Pope on other dates in Vatican City, you can learn more about his Papal Audience and Angelus service dates from the Pontifical Liturgical Calendar.
Related: Know about St. Peter Square Rome
How to Get Tickets for a Papal Mass?
If you want to attend the holy mass by the Pope, you can do so for free!
However, you must get a free ticket from the Prefecture of the Papal House six months in advance.
To get these, you can send a letter to the house in 00120 Vatican City State or fax at +39 06 6988 5863.
If you fail to send the request ahead of time, you can alternatively try to secure the remaining tickets at the Bronze Door between 9 am and 7 pm on the day prior.
This choice can only be accessed by individuals traveling with fewer than ten people.
You can also get tickets to the Vatican from the US Visitors Office, which usually has a few available.
You can reach them by email at visitorsoffice@pnac.org or by calling +39 066 900 1821.
You can also fax them at +39 066 791 448 or send a written request to Via dell’Umiltà 30, 00187 Rome.
Confession Schedule at St. Peter’s Basilica
If you want to make a holy confession in the sacred St. Peter’s Basilica, you can speak to the attendant standing at the right transept at the far right of the Papal Altar.
You can confess in the language you are comfortable with, as the attendant will guide you to the confessional marked with the language the priest inside speaks.
Here are the confession hours:
Monday to Saturday:
- 7 am to 12.30 pm
- 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm
Sunday:
- 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm
- 7 am to 1 pm
Dress Code Guidelines for Attending Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
- You must follow the St. Peter’s Basilica dress code when entering any mass or during a simple exploration trip.
- Shoulders should be covered. Avoid sleeveless tops, and consider wearing a light shawl or jacket if necessary.
- No caps, hats, or sunglasses can be worn inside the Basilica’s sacred space.
- Comfortable shoes are recommended, but they should be appropriate for a place of worship.
Related: St. Peter’s Basilica dress code
Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone attend mass at St. Peter’s Basilica?
People of all religions and nationalities can attend St. Peter’s Basilica mass.
What time is mass in St. Peter’s Basilica?
From Monday to Saturday, you can attend mass at 7 am, 7.30 am, 8.30 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm. On Sundays and other holidays, masses are organized at 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10.30 am, 12.30 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm and 6 pm.
Is mass held in St. Peter’s Basilica?
Daily masses are held in St. Peter’s Basilica throughout the years. You can also attend special masses by the Pope at the Basilica on special occasions or whenever the Pope is in Rome.
How do I get tickets for the Papal Mass at the Basilica?
You can get your Papal Mass tickets by sending a letter, fax, or emailing the Prefecture of the Papal Household or the US Visitors Office of the Vatican. You can also collect tickets a day before at the front of the Bronze Door from 9 am to 7 pm.
What should I wear for a mass at St. Peter’s Basilica?
Wear clothes that cover your midriff, knees, and shoulders. Do not wear caps or hats to a mass at the Basilica.
Are there English masses at the Basilica?
There are no English masses at the Basilica. Italian masses and one Latin mass are said every day. All sermons are given in Italian.
How early do I need to book tickets for the masses at St. Peter’s Basilica?
You should book your tickets six months before the date of the Papal Mass.
Do I need to pay to attend daily masses at St. Peter’s Basilica?
You can attend the daily masses for free at the Basilica.
What is the Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica?
The Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most significant events of the year, celebrated on Christmas Eve. This special Mass is usually presided over by the Pope and draws people from all over the world.
Featured Image: Vatican.va