Latest news with #VaticanJubilee
The Herald Scotland
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
American travelers reflect on a historic trip to the Vatican
She compared it to finally visiting Disneyland as an adult after hearing about it for years as a kid. "That's magnified for this trip, as a Catholic," said Hanisek, 76, after the group returned to the U.S. "Even though we didn't actually see the smoke or see the new pope, the feeling of being there, it was in everybody's heart. It was something we talked about all the way home," she said. "The fact that it was an American was just overwhelming." They were in Rome, but unable to make it to the Basilica for the announcement of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as pope. The young priest who organized the trip, Father Patrick Kane, did get to watch Pope Leo XIV step out onto the balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. He was also able to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. Kane, 39, an assistant at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, told USA TODAY he remains astonished and humbled at the opportunities. The trip had been in the works for two years and was planned to coincide with the Vatican Jubilee this year, a tradition that takes place every 25 years. Kane flew to Rome before his tour participants, planning to attend the canonization of teenage sports fan Carlo Acutis as a saint by Pope Francis. Instead, his trip turned into something very different "in a very blessed way," he said. "I was able to visit (Pope Francis) when he was lying in state in front of the main altar at St. Peter's. I said a prayer in front of his body." Pope Leo takes charge of Catholic Church with Vice President Vance looking on After a trip that included visits to Capri, San Giovanni Rotondo and the ruins at Pompeii, the group returned to Rome. They were on a bus to their farewell dinner "when all of a sudden everybody's phone started blowing up," said Greg Hanisek, Bobbi Hanisek's husband. White smoke had curled into the sky from the chimney at the Sistine Chapel. Because Kane could travel much faster solo, the group encouraged him to hop off the bus and catch a taxi to the Vatican to try to catch a glimpse of the new pope from the balcony. "I managed to flag down a taxi, and they got me pretty close but it was chaos," Kane said. He was surprised to make it into St. Peter's Square, and then wind up next to another priest from his diocese in Connecticut. "I think it was meant to be," he said. "I ended up standing with him and two of our seminarians and we were there to watch the whole thing." Kane felt excitement but also "a lot of wonderment" as Pope Leo was announced, he said. A priest in the group recognized his name and knew the pope was from America. "When he came out, it was obvious he was touched," Kane said. "For us, it's not so much about who's elected pope, it's about the pope and who he is as a leader ... It's a love for the role and not the person himself." Birds of the Vatican A chimney erected to send signals from the Papal conclave was upstaged at times by seagulls, helping Greg Hanisek do a little birdwatching at the Vatican. He shared checklists of birds he saw to the eBird, a platform operated by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology that allows birders to share their bird observations, identifying the gulls that became Internet famous as yellow-legged gulls. The gulls were photographed perching on statues, confronting a drone and checking out the chimney. Hanisek, who studied a field guide to European birds and range maps for months before leaving for Italy, had no doubt what kind of gulls they were. Yellow-legged gulls are common in the region, said Hanisek, a retired journalist who writes a nature column for the Waterbury Republican-American. The large birds have a wing span of almost five feet and weigh about 2.5 pounds, according to Cornell's All About Birds website. Although he's an avid birder, on this trip Hanisek was delighted to squeeze in any birding at all amidst their busy schedule visiting some of Italy's most hallowed churches. But Hanisek experienced his own moving experience on a ferry trip that included stops at Positano and Amalfi when he was able to spot four yelkouan shearwaters, a type of seabird species, he said. "It's just not a bird you're going to get anywhere other than the Mediterranean." Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Reach her at dpulver@ or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.
USA Today
24-05-2025
- USA Today
American travelers reflect on a historic trip to the Vatican: 'It was meant to be'
American travelers reflect on a historic trip to the Vatican: 'It was meant to be' Show Caption Hide Caption Pope Leo XIV hugs his brother after inaugural mass Pope Leo XIV embraced and chatted with his older brother after finishing his inauguration mass in Vatican City. A long-planned pilgrimage to Catholic churches throughout Italy couldn't have been more timely for a group of Connecticut residents who arrived just as the world mourned the loss of Pope Francis and eagerly awaited the identity of the new pope. For lifelong Catholic Bobbi Hanisek of Waterbury, Connecticut, words failed at describing the opportunity to visit the Vatican and other hallowed sites in Italy while so many people were joined in prayer around the globe. She compared it to finally visiting Disneyland as an adult after hearing about it for years as a kid. "That's magnified for this trip, as a Catholic," said Hanisek, 76, after the group returned to the U.S. "Even though we didn't actually see the smoke or see the new pope, the feeling of being there, it was in everybody's heart. It was something we talked about all the way home," she said. "The fact that it was an American was just overwhelming." They were in Rome, but unable to make it to the Basilica for the announcement of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as pope. The young priest who organized the trip, Father Patrick Kane, did get to watch Pope Leo XIV step out onto the balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. He was also able to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. Kane, 39, an assistant at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, told USA TODAY he remains astonished and humbled at the opportunities. The trip had been in the works for two years and was planned to coincide with the Vatican Jubilee this year, a tradition that takes place every 25 years. Kane flew to Rome before his tour participants, planning to attend the canonization of teenage sports fan Carlo Acutis as a saint by Pope Francis. Instead, his trip turned into something very different "in a very blessed way," he said. "I was able to visit (Pope Francis) when he was lying in state in front of the main altar at St. Peter's. I said a prayer in front of his body." Pope Leo takes charge of Catholic Church with Vice President Vance looking on After a trip that included visits to Capri, San Giovanni Rotondo and the ruins at Pompeii, the group returned to Rome. They were on a bus to their farewell dinner "when all of a sudden everybody's phone started blowing up," said Greg Hanisek, Bobbi Hanisek's husband. White smoke had curled into the sky from the chimney at the Sistine Chapel. Because Kane could travel much faster solo, the group encouraged him to hop off the bus and catch a taxi to the Vatican to try to catch a glimpse of the new pope from the balcony. "I managed to flag down a taxi, and they got me pretty close but it was chaos," Kane said. He was surprised to make it into St. Peter's Square, and then wind up next to another priest from his diocese in Connecticut. "I think it was meant to be," he said. "I ended up standing with him and two of our seminarians and we were there to watch the whole thing." Kane felt excitement but also "a lot of wonderment" as Pope Leo was announced, he said. A priest in the group recognized his name and knew the pope was from America. "When he came out, it was obvious he was touched," Kane said. "For us, it's not so much about who's elected pope, it's about the pope and who he is as a leader ... It's a love for the role and not the person himself." Birds of the Vatican A chimney erected to send signals from the Papal conclave was upstaged at times by seagulls, helping Greg Hanisek do a little birdwatching at the Vatican. He shared checklists of birds he saw to the eBird, a platform operated by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology that allows birders to share their bird observations, identifying the gulls that became Internet famous as yellow-legged gulls. The gulls were photographed perching on statues, confronting a drone and checking out the chimney. Hanisek, who studied a field guide to European birds and range maps for months before leaving for Italy, had no doubt what kind of gulls they were. Yellow-legged gulls are common in the region, said Hanisek, a retired journalist who writes a nature column for the Waterbury Republican-American. The large birds have a wing span of almost five feet and weigh about 2.5 pounds, according to Cornell's All About Birds website. Although he's an avid birder, on this trip Hanisek was delighted to squeeze in any birding at all amidst their busy schedule visiting some of Italy's most hallowed churches. But Hanisek experienced his own moving experience on a ferry trip that included stops at Positano and Amalfi when he was able to spot four yelkouan shearwaters, a type of seabird species, he said. "It's just not a bird you're going to get anywhere other than the Mediterranean." Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Reach her at dpulver@ or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Planning a visit to Rome for Pope Francis' funeral: What you should know
The world mourns the passing of Pope Francis , who died on April 21, 2025 and Rome prepares to host thousands of pilgrims and dignitaries for his funeral. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square. Given the concurrent Vatican Jubilee, which is already attracting millions of visitors, those planning to attend should anticipate significant crowds and logistical challenges, as per a report by CNN. Funeral arrangements for public to pay respects Pope Francis's body lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica, allowing the public to pay their respects. The basilica remains open for visitors until midnight on Wednesday, from 7 a.m. to midnight on Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. A ceremony to close the coffin is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday. The funeral service on Saturday will be held outdoors in St. Peter's Square and is open to the public without the need for tickets. However, attendees should expect extensive security checks and long waiting times. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Vadodara: The price (& size) of these hearing aids might surprise you Learn More Undo Rome will be experiencing an influx of visitors due to the Jubilee year, with over 32 million pilgrims expected, in addition to the 37.3 million tourists who visited last year. This surge in visitors means accommodations and transportation will be in high demand. Travelers should plan accordingly and must be prepared for delays and crowded conditions. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Given the high demand, finding accommodation near the Vatican may be challenging. Areas such as Prati, Campo Marzio, and regions around Piazza di Spagna offer proximity to St. Peter's Basilica and are accessible via metro. Budget-conscious travelers might consider staying near Termini Station, where some two- and three-star hotels still have availability, albeit at increased rates. For instance, Hotel Lancelot near the Colosseum offers a three-night stay for €420. Live Events You Might Also Like: Pope Francis' body to lie in state in St Peter's Basilica as faithful mourn Restrictions for the public During the mourning period, several Vatican sites, including the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, will remain closed. However, visitors can explore other significant religious sites in Rome, such as the basilicas of San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore, and San Paolo Fuori le Mura. These sites hold historical and spiritual significance and are integral to the Catholic tradition. Upcoming Conclave Following the funeral, the College of Cardinals will convene to elect a new pope, according to CNN. The conclave will begin no earlier than 15 days after Pope Francis's death, making May 6 the earliest possible start date. During the conclave, the cardinals will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel, and the public will await the traditional white smoke signal indicating that a new pope has been chosen. You Might Also Like: Cardinals to meet after death of Pope Francis, plan for funeral Travelers wishing to witness these historic events should plan meticulously, considering the anticipated crowds and heightened security measures. Staying informed through official Vatican announcements and local news sources will be crucial for a meaningful and respectful visit.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How to visit Rome for Pope Francis' funeral
The faithful will be flocking to Rome to honor the death of Pope Francis, who died on April 21, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday April 26 at 10 a.m.. Given his relatively liberal policies and habit of phoning up members of the public for a chat, it's possible that many non-Catholics will want to pay their respects, in addition to the nearly 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. Foreign visitor numbers in Italy are already reaching all-time highs — and Rome is even fuller than usual this year because of the Vatican Jubilee, which will see an estimated more than 32 million pilgrims crowding in alongside regular visitors, who numbered 37.3 million last year. That means that making your way to pay your respects may be difficult. 'We will see a huge media presence, much more than for Pope Benedict, since Francis is a current pope,' Mountain Butorac, who leads pilgrimages to Rome and tours of the Vatican as The Catholic Traveler, told CNN prior to the pope's death. However, he added that he believes the crowd numbers will be similar to those for Benedict's funeral: 'I don't expect numbers even close to [the funeral of] Pope John Paul II.' Around four million mourners flocked to Rome for the 2005 death of John Paul II. The conclave — the meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope, usually two or three weeks after the previous pontiff's death — will 'be a big draw for people to come to Rome,' said Butorac, adding that unlike in the case of Benedict, time-strapped mourners may have to choose between traveling to Rome for the funeral or the conclave. Pope Francis' funeral is scheduled for Saturday April 26 at 10 a.m. Before the funeral, there will be a period of lying in state. Francis' coffin was transferred from his papal residence at the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica early on Wednesday, April 23. Following a ceremony inside the basilica, the public will be able to file past the coffin. The basilica will be open until midnight Wednesday, from 7 a.m. to midnight Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. At 8 p.m. there will be a ceremony for the closing of the coffin. The funeral, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, will take place in St. Peter's Square outside the basilica, and will be open to the public. Tickets are not required — but expect extremely long lines. There will be a final Commendation and Valediction, before Francis' coffin is taken inside St. Peter's Basilica for the remainder of the service. His body will then be taken to Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, just over two miles east of St. Peter's, for burial. The route has not yet been announced. The religious elements of a pope's funeral are laid out in the 'Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis' (Latin for 'Funeral Rites for the Roman Pontiff'). However, popes can still weigh in on plans, as Francis did when he approved an updated edition of the liturgical book in 2024. Francis wrote in his 2025 autobiography, 'Hope,' that the proposed funeral was 'excessive' and that he arranged to 'lighten' it. He also chose his burial place, and will be the first pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside the Vatican. He regularly worshiped at Santa Maria Maggiore, and last made a surprise visit there on April 12. Vatican rules stipulate that the pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after his death. The funeral then officially triggers nine days of mourning known as the 'Novendiales,' which will see masses for Pope Francis held daily until May 4. During this period, cardinals from across the world will be arriving in Rome, ready for the conclave, the date for which has not yet been announced. 'Every cardinal has a titular church here, and so usually two days before the conclave begins, they will have a Mass at their church,' said Butorac. 'The day before the conclave, there is a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. This is also open to the public. All the cardinals will be there. After this, they head into the Sistine Chapel, not to be seen in public again until the election of the pope.' The conclave to elect the next pope can start no sooner than 15 days after the previous pope's death (which would be May 6), though the exact date will be determined by cardinals in the days ahead. During the conclave, while the cardinals are secreted away in the Sistine Chapel, crowds gather in St. Peter's Square to pray, hoping to be there when they see white smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel, meaning that a new pope has been afterwards, the newly elected pope will greet the crowds in the square from his balcony. You don't need a ticket to be in the square, but you will need to pass through security to access it, said Butorac. For those who wish to witness it, on day one of the conclave, there is just one vote, in the evening. On the following days, there are four votes: two in the morning, two in the late afternoon. Twice a day, until a pope has been elected, the ballots will be burned. Black smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel means no pope has been chosen. White means there is a new pope. The pattern of voting continues each day with a break every five days until a new Bishop of Rome is selected. Once that happens, the ballots are immediately burned to produce the white smoke. 'The times are usually public, so people know when to be in the square,' said Butorac. 'There are also no seats — so expect to stand for hours.' The voting can take hours, so be prepared to wait. Rome has two international airports. Fiumicino, around 17 miles (27 kilometers) southwest of the city center, is Italy's busiest airport and the hub for non-European southeast of the city, is much smaller and closer to central Rome. It currently serves budget airlines with intra-European routes as well as two destinations in Morocco. From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train departs every 15 minutes for Termini station in the city center. Alternatively, taxis charge a fixed rate of 55 euros ($58) to destinations within the city walls. Buses to Termini take 50 minutes and cost 9.90 euros ($10.40) return. From Ciampino, a taxi costs a fixed 40 euros ($42), or buses to Termini take 40 minutes and cost 9.90 euros. While flying into Rome is obviously direct, it's worth considering flying into other major Italian airports, too. Rome's Termini station is a hub on Italy's high-speed railway line, meaning Milan is just over three hours away, and Naples around an hour. Rome will be incredibly busy, so it makes sense to stay near St. Peter's — though be aware that hotels are already heavily booked throughout 2025 because of the Jubilee. Vatican City sits on the west side of the Tiber, across the river from the historical center of Rome. The rione (district) of Prati is right above it, and is your best bet, accommodation-wise. Campo Marzio, in the historic center, is just across the water — anywhere near Campo de' Fiori or Piazza Navona is also an easy walk to the Vatican. Not finding anything? The nearest metro stop to the Vatican is at Ottaviano. Stay anywhere around Piazza di Spagna (the Spanish Steps) or the cheaper areas around Piazza della Repubblica and Termini train station, and you'll be just a few minutes away by metro. While many hotels appear to have hiked room rates over the next few days, there are some with availability at more reasonable prices. Checking on Tuesday after the funeral and lying in state was announced, there were various two- and three-star hotels around Termini for around 500 euros ($574) for three nights from Wednesday to Saturday. This isn't the time to go all out with a five star — the luxury Bvlgari hotel, for example, which is within walking distance from the Vatican, was selling rooms for the same dates (three nights) for 8,310 euros ($9,539). If you're looking for just one night and the pickings are looking slim, it could work out as more affordable to stay longer. For example, Hotel Lancelot, a family-owned three-star near the Colosseum, has implemented a three-day minimum stay during the lying-in-state and funeral period; however, it has not raised its reasonable rates. A single room for three nights is 420 euros ($482) as of Tuesday. Vatican City is one of the most popular places to visit on a Rome trip, but this is a time when it shuts down its tourism operations and returns the buildings to what they were built for. The Sistine Chapel, for example, will hold the conclave, while St. Peter's will be used for the lying in state. The museums will also be closed on Saturday 26 April, and all tours of the Vatican Gardens and the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis are suspended, according to a statement on the Musei Vaticani website. Instead, if you have time to sightsee, you'll need to leave Vatican City — but there are still plenty of sites with papal links in Rome. A 10-minute walk from St. Peter's Square is the colossal Castel Sant'Angelo, originally built as the mausoleum of the emperor Hadrian, and then used as a papal fortress. It was here that Pope Clement VII holed up during the Sack of Rome in 1527, eventually escaping the city. If you're here to pay respects to Francis, you'll probably want to spend some time in church. Luckily, Rome's basilicas are museums in their own right, so you'll be sightseeing as you go. Prime amongst them are the city's three other 'papal basilicas' — which rank just below St. Peter's for importance to the Catholic Church. San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore and San Paolo Fuori le Mura each have a 'porta santa' (holy door), and a papal altar. The latter, at the end of the increasingly trendy Via Ostiense, is said to be the resting place of the apostle St. Paul. Be aware that as the resting place of the pope, Santa Maria Maggiore will likely be subject to visiting restrictions around the date of the funeral. No information has been announced as of yet. If you want to mix in some Michelangelo, there are several options in lieu of St. Peter' formidable Moses statue in San Pietro in Vincoli, a church in Monti, is a match for the Pietà in St. Peter's — and in fact it was designed for the funerary monument of Pope Julius II, an ill-fated project that Michelangelo only completed after the death of Julius. The spectacular church of Santa Maria degli Angeli is a ruined Roman bath that Michelangelo redesigned as a church — while his Risen Christ statue stands in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the church behind the Pantheon. Two of the most spectacular papal sites are located outside the capital. Castel Gandolfo was the pope's summer residence from 1596 until Francis wound it down, preferring to live more simply. Since 2016, you can visit the Palazzo Apostolico, or Palazzo Papale (papal palace) — as well as its beautiful gardens with spectacular views over Lake Albano. It's currently open to the public daily (check the website for opening times) although it will be closed on Saturday 26 April as a sign of mourning. In Viterbo, around 100 minutes by train north of Rome, is the Palazzo dei Papi, or Palace of the Popes. From 1257 to 1281, the Curia was moved here from Rome, and a suitably grand papal palace was built for the occasion — which is open to visitors today. The city carried on being a favorite escape for popes even when they were based back in Rome — one 15th century pontiff even added a bathhouse to take full advantage of Viterbo's famous thermal waters.
CNN
23-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
How to visit Rome for Pope Francis' funeral
The faithful will be flocking to Rome to honor the death of Pope Francis, who died on April 21, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday April 26 at 10 a.m.. Given his relatively liberal policies and habit of phoning up members of the public for a chat, it's possible that many non-Catholics will want to pay their respects, in addition to the nearly 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. Foreign visitor numbers in Italy are already reaching all-time highs — and Rome is even fuller than usual this year because of the Vatican Jubilee, which will see an estimated more than 32 million pilgrims crowding in alongside regular visitors, who numbered 37.3 million last year. That means that making your way to pay your respects may be difficult. 'We will see a huge media presence, much more than for Pope Benedict, since Francis is a current pope,' Mountain Butorac, who leads pilgrimages to Rome and tours of the Vatican as The Catholic Traveler, told CNN prior to the pope's death. However, he added that he believes the crowd numbers will be similar to those for Benedict's funeral: 'I don't expect numbers even close to [the funeral of] Pope John Paul II.' Around four million mourners flocked to Rome for the 2005 death of John Paul II. The conclave — the meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope, usually two or three weeks after the previous pontiff's death — will 'be a big draw for people to come to Rome,' said Butorac, adding that unlike in the case of Benedict, time-strapped mourners may have to choose between traveling to Rome for the funeral or the conclave. Pope Francis' funeral is scheduled for Saturday April 26 at 10 a.m. Before the funeral, there will be a period of lying in state. Francis' coffin was transferred from his papal residence at the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica early on Wednesday, April 23. Following a ceremony inside the basilica, the public will be able to file past the coffin. The basilica will be open until midnight Wednesday, from 7 a.m. to midnight Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. At 8 p.m. there will be a ceremony for the closing of the coffin. The funeral, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, will take place in St. Peter's Square outside the basilica, and will be open to the public. Tickets are not required — but expect extremely long lines. There will be a final Commendation and Valediction, before Francis' coffin is taken inside St. Peter's Basilica for the remainder of the service. His body will then be taken to Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, just over two miles east of St. Peter's, for burial. The route has not yet been announced. The religious elements of a pope's funeral are laid out in the 'Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis' (Latin for 'Funeral Rites for the Roman Pontiff'). However, popes can still weigh in on plans, as Francis did when he approved an updated edition of the liturgical book in 2024. Francis wrote in his 2025 autobiography, 'Hope,' that the proposed funeral was 'excessive' and that he arranged to 'lighten' it. He also chose his burial place, and will be the first pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside the Vatican. He regularly worshiped at Santa Maria Maggiore, and last made a surprise visit there on April 12. Related live-story The latest on the death of Pope Francis Vatican rules stipulate that the pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after his death. The funeral then officially triggers nine days of mourning known as the 'Novendiales,' which will see masses for Pope Francis held daily until May 4. During this period, cardinals from across the world will be arriving in Rome, ready for the conclave, the date for which has not yet been announced. 'Every cardinal has a titular church here, and so usually two days before the conclave begins, they will have a Mass at their church,' said Butorac. 'The day before the conclave, there is a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. This is also open to the public. All the cardinals will be there. After this, they head into the Sistine Chapel, not to be seen in public again until the election of the pope.' The conclave to elect the next pope can start no sooner than 15 days after the previous pope's death (which would be May 6), though the exact date will be determined by cardinals in the days ahead. During the conclave, while the cardinals are secreted away in the Sistine Chapel, crowds gather in St. Peter's Square to pray, hoping to be there when they see white smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel, meaning that a new pope has been afterwards, the newly elected pope will greet the crowds in the square from his balcony. You don't need a ticket to be in the square, but you will need to pass through security to access it, said Butorac. For those who wish to witness it, on day one of the conclave, there is just one vote, in the evening. On the following days, there are four votes: two in the morning, two in the late afternoon. Twice a day, until a pope has been elected, the ballots will be burned. Black smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel means no pope has been chosen. White means there is a new pope. The pattern of voting continues each day with a break every five days until a new Bishop of Rome is selected. Once that happens, the ballots are immediately burned to produce the white smoke. 'The times are usually public, so people know when to be in the square,' said Butorac. 'There are also no seats — so expect to stand for hours.' The voting can take hours, so be prepared to wait. Related video How is a new pope chosen? Rome has two international airports. Fiumicino, around 17 miles (27 kilometers) southwest of the city center, is Italy's busiest airport and the hub for non-European southeast of the city, is much smaller and closer to central Rome. It currently serves budget airlines with intra-European routes as well as two destinations in Morocco. From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train departs every 15 minutes for Termini station in the city center. Alternatively, taxis charge a fixed rate of 55 euros ($58) to destinations within the city walls. Buses to Termini take 50 minutes and cost 9.90 euros ($10.40) return. From Ciampino, a taxi costs a fixed 40 euros ($42), or buses to Termini take 40 minutes and cost 9.90 euros. While flying into Rome is obviously direct, it's worth considering flying into other major Italian airports, too. Rome's Termini station is a hub on Italy's high-speed railway line, meaning Milan is just over three hours away, and Naples around an hour. Rome will be incredibly busy, so it makes sense to stay near St. Peter's — though be aware that hotels are already heavily booked throughout 2025 because of the Jubilee. Vatican City sits on the west side of the Tiber, across the river from the historical center of Rome. The rione (district) of Prati is right above it, and is your best bet, accommodation-wise. Campo Marzio, in the historic center, is just across the water — anywhere near Campo de' Fiori or Piazza Navona is also an easy walk to the Vatican. Not finding anything? The nearest metro stop to the Vatican is at Ottaviano. Stay anywhere around Piazza di Spagna (the Spanish Steps) or the cheaper areas around Piazza della Repubblica and Termini train station, and you'll be just a few minutes away by metro. While many hotels appear to have hiked room rates over the next few days, there are some with availability at more reasonable prices. Checking on Tuesday after the funeral and lying in state was announced, there were various two- and three-star hotels around Termini for around 500 euros ($574) for three nights from Wednesday to Saturday. This isn't the time to go all out with a five star — the luxury Bvlgari hotel, for example, which is within walking distance from the Vatican, was selling rooms for the same dates (three nights) for 8,310 euros ($9,539). If you're looking for just one night and the pickings are looking slim, it could work out as more affordable to stay longer. For example, Hotel Lancelot, a family-owned three-star near the Colosseum, has implemented a three-day minimum stay during the lying-in-state and funeral period; however, it has not raised its reasonable rates. A single room for three nights is 420 euros ($482) as of Tuesday. Vatican City is one of the most popular places to visit on a Rome trip, but this is a time when it shuts down its tourism operations and returns the buildings to what they were built for. The Sistine Chapel, for example, will hold the conclave, while St. Peter's will be used for the lying in state. The museums will also be closed on Saturday 26 April, and all tours of the Vatican Gardens and the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis are suspended, according to a statement on the Musei Vaticani website. Instead, if you have time to sightsee, you'll need to leave Vatican City — but there are still plenty of sites with papal links in Rome. A 10-minute walk from St. Peter's Square is the colossal Castel Sant'Angelo, originally built as the mausoleum of the emperor Hadrian, and then used as a papal fortress. It was here that Pope Clement VII holed up during the Sack of Rome in 1527, eventually escaping the city. If you're here to pay respects to Francis, you'll probably want to spend some time in church. Luckily, Rome's basilicas are museums in their own right, so you'll be sightseeing as you go. Prime amongst them are the city's three other 'papal basilicas' — which rank just below St. Peter's for importance to the Catholic Church. San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore and San Paolo Fuori le Mura each have a 'porta santa' (holy door), and a papal altar. The latter, at the end of the increasingly trendy Via Ostiense, is said to be the resting place of the apostle St. Paul. Be aware that as the resting place of the pope, Santa Maria Maggiore will likely be subject to visiting restrictions around the date of the funeral. No information has been announced as of yet. If you want to mix in some Michelangelo, there are several options in lieu of St. Peter' formidable Moses statue in San Pietro in Vincoli, a church in Monti, is a match for the Pietà in St. Peter's — and in fact it was designed for the funerary monument of Pope Julius II, an ill-fated project that Michelangelo only completed after the death of Julius. The spectacular church of Santa Maria degli Angeli is a ruined Roman bath that Michelangelo redesigned as a church — while his Risen Christ statue stands in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the church behind the Pantheon. Two of the most spectacular papal sites are located outside the capital. Castel Gandolfo was the pope's summer residence from 1596 until Francis wound it down, preferring to live more simply. Since 2016, you can visit the Palazzo Apostolico, or Palazzo Papale (papal palace) — as well as its beautiful gardens with spectacular views over Lake Albano. It's currently open to the public daily (check the website for opening times) although it will be closed on Saturday 26 April as a sign of mourning. In Viterbo, around 100 minutes by train north of Rome, is the Palazzo dei Papi, or Palace of the Popes. From 1257 to 1281, the Curia was moved here from Rome, and a suitably grand papal palace was built for the occasion — which is open to visitors today. The city carried on being a favorite escape for popes even when they were based back in Rome — one 15th century pontiff even added a bathhouse to take full advantage of Viterbo's famous thermal waters.
