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How to See the Pope in Rome: A 2026 Guide

If you’re planning a trip to the Eternal City this year, there’s one experience that usually tops everyone’s bucket list: seeing the Pope. Whether you’re religious or just a fan of history and grand traditions, there is something undeniably electric about being in St. Peter’s Square when the atmosphere is buzzing.

I get asked about this a lot, and while it might seem like you need a secret handshake or a direct line to the Vatican, it’s actually quite straightforward once you know the ropes. Here’s my guide on how to see Pope Leo XIV in Rome during 2026.

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1. The Wednesday General Audience
2. The Sunday Angelus
3. Special Masses and the 2026 Calendar
4. Essential Tips: Dress Code and Security

1. The Wednesday General Audience

This is your best bet for getting "up close" (relatively speaking!). Most Wednesdays when the Pope is in Rome, he holds a General Audience at 9:00 am.

Where: Usually in St. Peter’s Square (if the weather is nice) or the Paul VI Audience Hall (if it’s raining or freezing).
The Vibe: It’s less of a formal Mass and more of a gathering with speeches, blessings, and the famous "Popemobile" drive-through.
Tickets: They are completely free, but you do need them. You can request them via the Prefecture of the Papal Household.

Pro Tip: Even with a ticket, it’s first-come, first-served for the best seats. I’d recommend getting to the security lines by 7:30 am if you want to be near the barriers where the Pope drives past.

2. The Sunday Angelus

If you don't want to deal with the faff of tickets, the Sunday Angelus is for you. Every Sunday at 12:00 pm, the Pope appears at the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

He gives a short address, leads the Angelus prayer, and gives a blessing. It lasts about 15–20 minutes. You don't need tickets—you just show up, pass through security, and find a spot in the square. It’s a lovely, communal experience that fits perfectly into a Sunday morning stroll.

3. Special Masses and the 2026 Calendar

2026 is a busy year at the Vatican. We’ve just come off the back of the Jubilee, and the schedule is packed. If you're visiting during Easter or Christmas, the Pope will preside over major liturgical celebrations.

For these, you definitely need to book tickets months in advance. Keep an eye on the official Vatican Calendar to see if your dates align with a Papal Mass.

4. Essential Tips for Your Visit

Dress Code: This is a big one! The Vatican enforces a strict dress code. Shoulders must be covered, and skirts or trousers must reach below the knee. I’ve seen many disappointed travellers turned away at the security scanners for wearing shorts!
Security: Treat it like an airport. No large suitcases, no glass bottles, and no sharp objects.
Check the Schedule: The Pope does travel! For instance, he has an Apostolic Journey planned for Algeria and several other African countries in mid-April 2026. Always double-check he’s actually in Rome before you set your alarm for 6:00 am.

Rome is such a magical city, and there’s so much to explore beyond the Vatican walls. If you’re looking for more inspiration for your Italian adventure, check out my other travel related posts for tips on where to eat, stay, and wander.

Have you ever seen the Pope in person? Or are you planning your first trip to the Vatican this year? Let me know in the comments!

Santa Maria Maggiore: Rome’s Timeless Basilica You Shouldn’t Miss

What You Need To Know About This Church

Earlier this year, I had the chance to visit Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s most beautiful and historically rich basilicas — and honestly, it completely took my breath away despite having visited many times already. I’ve seen my fair share of churches in Italy, but there’s something about this one that feels truly alive — like every inch of it holds a story from centuries past. It's definitely one of my favourites.

What Is Santa Maria Maggiore?

Santa Maria Maggiore (also known as the Basilica of Saint Mary Major) is one of the four papal basilicas in Rome and the largest church in the city dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in the 5th century and has been expanded and decorated over the centuries, blending early Christian mosaics with Renaissance and Baroque architecture.

It’s located on the Esquiline Hill, one of Rome’s famous seven hills, not far from Termini Station — making it very easy to reach whether you’re walking or using public transport.

A Special Visit During the Jubilee Year

As it’s a Jubilee Year, I had the rare opportunity to walk through the Holy Door — something that only happens during this sacred celebration. Stepping through it, I felt an incredible sense of peace and connection to history. Even if you’re not religious, the symbolism and atmosphere are deeply moving.

Inside the Basilica: Gold, Mosaics and Majesty

The moment you walk inside, your eyes are drawn upwards. The ceilings are absolutely spectacular — gilded and intricate, glowing in that soft Roman light that makes everything look just a little divine. I found myself staring for ages, completely lost in the detail.

Every surface tells a story: shimmering mosaics from the 5th century, marble columns, and quiet side chapels that invite you to pause. You could go back a million times and still notice something new — a hidden angel, a pattern you hadn’t seen before, a reflection of gold you somehow missed. It’s one of those places that rewards you for slowing down, for just being present.

A Papal Resting Place

Santa Maria Maggiore is not just a site of breathtaking beauty — it’s also a papal resting place. Pope Sixtus V (1585–1590) is buried here, within the grand Sistine Chapel (not to be confused with the one in the Vatican). His tomb, designed by the architect Domenico Fontana, sits beneath a stunning dome that reflects his powerful legacy and devotion to the Church.

Then more recently, Pope Francis chose to make Santa Maria Maggiore his final resting place. In what feels like a deeply personal decision, he was interred here on 26 April 2025, becoming the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican.

His tomb is simple — modest, even. It lies in a burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (which houses the icon Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel. The marble headstone bears only the Latin inscription “Franciscus”. Francis had requested that the tomb be “in the earth, simple, without particular decoration,” a reflection of the humility that marked so much of his papacy.

There are tributes to other popes here too, reminders that this basilica has always been deeply connected to history and tradition. Standing there, I wasn’t thinking about faith so much as time — how many lives and stories have passed through these walls, and how each era has quietly left its mark on this extraordinary place.

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Santa Maria Maggiore Rome’s Timeless Basilica- exterior and map

The Basilica’s Peaceful Contrast with Busy Rome

Outside, the basilica looks magnificent, gleaming in the sun as Rome hums busily around it. Then you step inside, and suddenly the noise fades — it’s calm, cool, and feels like time has stopped altogether.

It’s this contrast that makes Santa Maria Maggiore so unforgettable. One moment you’re surrounded by the life and chaos of modern Rome; the next, you’re standing in a place that’s been here for over 1,500 years, untouched by time.

Why You Should Visit Santa Maria Maggiore

If you’re planning a trip to Rome, don’t skip this basilica. It’s one of the city’s most important churches — both artistically and spiritually — and offers a glimpse into the very soul of Rome. Whether you come for faith, art, architecture, or just curiosity, Santa Maria Maggiore has a quiet way of reaching you.

I honestly can’t wait to go back. Even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to see everything this place holds.

Santa Maria Maggiore Rome’s Timeless Basilica- interior with views of ceilings

Visitor Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Visit

Location: Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, on the Esquiline Hill, central Rome. Very short walking distance from Termini station.
Opening Hours: Generally open daily from early morning until evening; check the official Vatican or basilica website before visiting.
Entry Fee: Free, though donations are welcome.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon, when the crowds thin and the light hits the gold ceiling beautifully.
Dress Code: Modest clothing is required — shoulders and knees covered.

Final Thoughts

For me, Santa Maria Maggiore isn’t just another church in Rome — it’s a masterpiece of faith, history, and art. It’s one of those rare places where you can truly feel the layers of time, where beauty and spirituality blend so seamlessly that you can’t help but be moved.

If you only have time for a few churches in Rome, make sure this is one of them. You won’t regret it.

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My Rome Bucket List for 2024

Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.

I moved to Rome, Italy back in 2001. My original plan had been to stay here for three days... I'm still here!

I had a bucket list of places I wanted to visit and stuff I wanted to see during my three day visit. Like most tourists coming here for a quick visit I wanted to see the main sites like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, St. Peter's and the Vatican museums, and the Spanish Steps to name a few.

Fun fact! The Spanish Steps is where I met my now husband and so part of the reason I never left Rome 😉

I have fully embraced the concept of being a local tourist (Explore Tourist Places has a great article explaining local tourism in more detail). I'm fortunate enough to live in the eternal city where they say a lifetime isn't enough to see everything it has to offer. Well, I'm going to make sure I see as much of it as possible!

I hope this list will also help inspire those of you planning on visiting here and give you some ideas of what to do in Rome beyond the most well known tourist stuff.

Places I want to visit in Rome in 2024

Whilst I have visited most of the places I originally wanted to (I've been to St. Peter's multiple times over the years) I still haven't made it to the Sistine Chapel and the rest of the Vatican museums. It's terrible I know. I've been here for over half my life now and yet haven't managed to go there. 2024 will be the year I finally do!

Basilica of St. Stephen in the Round on the Caelian Hill (Basilica di Santo Stefano Rotondo al Monte Celio in Italian), located at Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 7 near the Colosseo. Rome is packed full of churches and this particular one sounds really interesting. The church was the first in Rome to have a circular plan. It's open on Sundays and they offer free guided tours too.

Palazzo Doria Pamphil and the Doria Pamphili Gallery has been on my bucket list for a while now. The photo's I've seen look amazing! I feel like I should dress like a princess to visit it (I won't, but you get the idea).

The Capuchin Crypt of Santa Maria della Concezione, located at Via Vittorio Veneto, 27 near Piazza Barberini. I visited some great underground sites in 2023 and can't wait to discover more. Apparently the tiny chapels underneath the church are adorned with the bones of 4000 monks.

Galleria Sciarra located at Via Marco Minghetti 10 near Trevi fountain is also on my list. This is another one of those places that will probably give me neck-ache (seriously anywhere you visit in Rome look up. The ceilings are often breath-taking). I have a feeling it will be worth it though.

Basilica di San Clemente located at Via di San Giovanni in Laterano 45, near the Colosseum. This ancient basilica actually consists of two overlapping churches and the remains of a temple of the god Mithra. I have visited the upper level in the past but never got round to visiting the lower levels.

I'd also like to go back to the Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco. You can find my Guide to the Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco here. I visited it with my son last summer but unfortunately the underground was closed when we went. I plan to head back there on a weekend when it's open to check it out.

The Aurelian Walls (Museo delle Mura in Italian), located at Via di Porta San Sebastiano,18. This is another place I've wanted to visit for a while now. I love the idea of being able to walk along the top of the walls.

Little London (Piccola Londra in Italian), located at Via Bernardo Celentano, directly off of Via Flaminia is a short street here in Rome where the architect wanted to recreate the feel of a residential suburb of London. I'm curious to see what it's like and also haven't been back to the UK in a while and so hoping it might help quell need to get back on British soil until the summer when it's a more likely possibility for us.

Ostia Antica is on the very outskirts of Rome towards the coast. It's packed with historical sites and other interesting places to visit. There's a lot of see and do here so this one will probably take a few separate visits to cover it all.

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I'm sure this list will grow considerably throughout the year as I discover more places worth discovering more. Rome has a crazy number of museums, churches, and other historical and archaeological sites.

I got a MIC Card in 2023 and made good use of it visiting most of the museums. For just €5 it gives free unlimited access to a wide variety of museums and archaeological sites. It also means you get to avoid queues and get access to special events. It gives a discount on the ticket price for some other places too. I'll probably be renewing my card for 2024. It basically pays for itself with just one use.

To be honest, I'd be quite happy to go back and revisit a lot of the places I've already been to. So many of them are so packed with things that you can go several times and see something new each time.

What places are on your travel bucket list for 2024? Have you ever visited Rome? What places do you recommend I check out? When was the last time you were a local tourist where you live?

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