There is a Reception Point for visitors to contact for information on the spiritual and pastoral life of the Basilica.
The opening hours are as follows:
The Reception Point is located in the Square, beyond the State Police checkpoints, in the area on the right and in front of the stairs that give access to the Portico of the Basilica.
For information and any special needs, you can contact the Reception Office of St. Peter's Basilica, at the following numbers:
E-mail: accoglienza@fsp.va
Tel.: +39 06 6982 (switchboard)
The Office will respond to requests as promptly as possible.
Guided tours in sign language are available at the Basilica. This service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance at the following email address: visiteguidate@fsp.va.
Remember that if you are a pilgrim you have quick access to the Basilica through the Prayer Route.
The opening hours are as follows:
- on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 07:30 to 18:00;
- on Wednesday from 13:00 to 18:00.
The Reception Point is located in the Square, beyond the State Police checkpoints, in the area on the right and in front of the stairs that give access to the Portico of the Basilica.
For information and any special needs, you can contact the Reception Office of St. Peter's Basilica, at the following numbers:
E-mail: accoglienza@fsp.va
Tel.: +39 06 6982 (switchboard)
The Office will respond to requests as promptly as possible.
Guided tours in sign language are available at the Basilica. This service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance at the following email address: visiteguidate@fsp.va.
Remember that if you are a pilgrim you have quick access to the Basilica through the Prayer Route.
Prayer Route
To make entry into St. Peter's Basilica quicker and easier for those who wish to pray and participate in the Sacraments, with the collaboration of the Italian Inspectorate of Public Security "Vatican", the Governorate and the Vatican Gendarmerie, a new entrance dedicated to pilgrims and those praying has been opened in St. Peter's Square, ad experimentum.
The route starts from the obelisk in St. Peter's Square and is marked by the sign "Percorso Oranti", winds through the Vatican Basilica through the right nave and allows you to quickly reach the most significant places of spiritual and liturgical life: the statue of the Pietà, the Altar of St. John Paul II, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the Gregorian Chapel with the image of the Madonna del Soccorso, the area reserved for penitents for the sacrament of Reconciliation, until reaching the Altar of the Chair and the Chapel of St. Joseph for the celebration of Holy Mass. The itinerary, once you reach the Chapel of St. Joseph, requires you to exit through the Vatican Grottoes.
The opening hours of the new route are the same as those of the Basilica, every day from 6:50 to 18:40. No ticket is required for entry. The route for tourists also allows a completely free visit to the Basilica and access to the places of liturgical actions through special passages.
The "Percorso Oranti" allows the faithful, prayer groups and pilgrims to come and pray in St. Peter's and participate in the sacraments easily, without waiting in long lines. In line with the desire of the Holy Father, we want to guarantee pilgrims maximum accessibility to spiritual, liturgical and celebratory life.
This route also welcomes pilgrims engaged in the various "paths", who can show their credentials and collect the parchment of the "Testimonium", certifying their pilgrimage to the Basilica.
The route starts from the obelisk in St. Peter's Square and is marked by the sign "Percorso Oranti", winds through the Vatican Basilica through the right nave and allows you to quickly reach the most significant places of spiritual and liturgical life: the statue of the Pietà, the Altar of St. John Paul II, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the Gregorian Chapel with the image of the Madonna del Soccorso, the area reserved for penitents for the sacrament of Reconciliation, until reaching the Altar of the Chair and the Chapel of St. Joseph for the celebration of Holy Mass. The itinerary, once you reach the Chapel of St. Joseph, requires you to exit through the Vatican Grottoes.
The opening hours of the new route are the same as those of the Basilica, every day from 6:50 to 18:40. No ticket is required for entry. The route for tourists also allows a completely free visit to the Basilica and access to the places of liturgical actions through special passages.
The "Percorso Oranti" allows the faithful, prayer groups and pilgrims to come and pray in St. Peter's and participate in the sacraments easily, without waiting in long lines. In line with the desire of the Holy Father, we want to guarantee pilgrims maximum accessibility to spiritual, liturgical and celebratory life.
This route also welcomes pilgrims engaged in the various "paths", who can show their credentials and collect the parchment of the "Testimonium", certifying their pilgrimage to the Basilica.
Testimonium
The “Testimonium” is a certificate that St. Peter’s Basilica issues upon request, as certification of the completed devotionis causa pilgrimage, to all those who have traveled at least 100 km on foot or 200 km by bicycle to reach Rome. This route must be verifiable by the stamps affixed to the pilgrim’s credential. Pilgrims who wish to request a Testimonium can access the Basilica via the special “Percorso Oranti” opened in St. Peter’s Square starting from the obelisk and marked by a dedicated sign.
The document is delivered by the staff on duty at the Basilica’s Reception point, to whom pilgrims can also contact to request the cloakroom service and the use of personal care services.
To book the Testimonium, please contact the Reception Office of St. Peter's Basilica at the following numbers:
E-mail: accoglienza@fsp.va
Tel.: +39 06 6982 (switchboard)
The Office will respond to requests as promptly as possible.
The document is delivered by the staff on duty at the Basilica’s Reception point, to whom pilgrims can also contact to request the cloakroom service and the use of personal care services.
To book the Testimonium, please contact the Reception Office of St. Peter's Basilica at the following numbers:
E-mail: accoglienza@fsp.va
Tel.: +39 06 6982 (switchboard)
The Office will respond to requests as promptly as possible.