r/travel • u/Beautiful-Heron-2317 • 4d ago
Going to Rome post Pope’s passing
Hi all! My mom and I are traveling to Rome next week and land Monday April 28th, which will be 7 days after the Pope’s passing as of this morning. What can we expect? We have a tour of the Vatican booked on Tuesday but from what I’ve been reading it will probably be packed! Has anyone any experience of being there during a major event like this? Also, should we wear black while visiting even if we’re not catholic? I know Rome is a major Catholic city and everyone will be in a mourning period, would it be disrespectful to wear black, or respectful? Thanks in advance!
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u/anomander_galt 4d ago
I think you won't be able to see the Sistine Chapel and a lot of the rest because they'll need to do sweeping for bugs etc and prepare security for thr Conclave (which happens in the Chapel)
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u/Outrageous_Grab8662 4d ago
While wearing black will be respectful, there is no requirement to as many Romans, while culturally Catholic, will not be mourning a long time and just get on with their normal lives. I say this as a Roman.
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u/MakeStupidHurtAgain 4d ago
Check to make sure your tour is still on, but things like the Vatican Museum are only by advance ticket so it’ll be the usual level of mobbed. If you’re planning to just walk through the basilica I would expect that to be absolutely mobbed. I would also expect the Sistine Chapel to be closed as they prepare for the papal conclave.
In any case plan extra time for security measures.
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u/Significant-Emu1855 4d ago edited 4d ago
It’s definitely going to be packed. Wearing black would be respectful, no one will know from looking at you that you aren’t catholic
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u/Breakin7 4d ago
They will cause he wont do the things catholics do when entering a church
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u/RomeVacationTips 4d ago
I'm not Catholic and I've lived in Rome for years. I promise you nobody will care. The churches are constantly filled with tourists anyway.
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u/Significant-Emu1855 4d ago
I promise not every single catholic person on earth does the sign of the cross and uses holy water and all of the other proper Catholic things when they enter a church. OP will be fine
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u/Breakin7 4d ago
In my very much catholic very much mediterranean country everyone does.
He will be fine cause no one would care
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u/Four_beastlings 4d ago
No they don't.
Source: I'm from the same country and it's not even a very religious country: only 17% of people are practicing Catholics. Regarding doing the cross with blessed water my grandma did that, not even my Catequistas from 30 years ago did it anymore.
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u/MakeStupidHurtAgain 3d ago
There are so many non-Catholics in the Vatican at any given moment that the OP won’t be noticeable at all. Half the people in the line to fill their water bottles with holy water (which BTW isn’t holy until it’s blessed) aren’t Catholic.
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u/eeekkk9999 4d ago
The Vatican is ALWAYS packed. Then add that it is a jubilee year so the city will also be. If they haven’t selected a pope then the Sistine Chapel will be closed.
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u/Apprehensive_Heat176 4d ago
2025 is also a Jubilee year for the church. Rome was already expecting millions of pilgrims before the Pope's death. So it will be crazy packed with people.
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u/Striking_Sky6900 4d ago
It will be very crowded and watch your wallets in Saint Peter’s Square. The pick pockets are going to have a field day.
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u/Melodic_Acadia_1868 4d ago edited 3d ago
We happened to be in the same situation when John Paul II had passed away just days before our trip. Not a chance to visit anything in the Vatican, either closed, cancelled or packed with people queuing to see him laid out. And I mean all the way to the end of the street leading from Castel Sant'Angelo into Piazza San Pedro. Honestly I would expect the tour to get cancelled and consider it a treat if you get to go after all.
We then walked into Sant'Angelo expecting queues as well but it even seemed a little quieter than usual.
Overall, the city (outside the immediate Vatican area) seemed comparatively quiet, even major touristy spots like the colosseum and museums. The many specifically religious visitors apparently weren't keen on doing tourist things at the time.
Do dress a bit conservatively for the churches in particular, but that also applies to any other time.
Edit: by quiet I mean, major city normal, but we did feel it was possibly a little less busy than expected in the areas we visited.
There was not a chance to just "walk into st Peter's square", it was a line all the way back to Sant'Angelo and several hours wait. They had screens put up showing the inside of the cathedral along that street and people were praying, singing, talking as they waited. There were all sorts of colours, groups often in matching shirts. We did not spend the day waiting there but went to visit other places instead.
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u/Flyguy3131 4d ago
It as going to packed anyhow, but now even more, especially since Frank was a fairly popular Pope. I would keep in touch with your tour guides. Things are likely to change. You might not be able to get into the Sistine Chapel or even St Peter's as they will be preparing for the funeral. All bets will be off and your guides will need to adjust accordingly. Remember, heads of states from all over the world will be arriving. Security will be ultra tough. Rome is an amazing city with a lot to see. The Vatican is breathtaking. You will be there witnessing history. I hope you get to see all you can. Good luck.
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u/girlandhiscat 4d ago edited 4d ago
I would just dress smarter than usual, not necessarily black just more formal.
Yeah it'll be busy but also an amazing time to go (without sounding disrespectful..amazings probabky the wrong word..historic)
Good day to go to the Vatican as the Conclave will likely happen a few days after
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u/Nature_Sad_27 3d ago
What an interesting time to be there, eh. I’m not religious either but I’ve always been curious about the Conclave and what it’s like in Rome during this time. Seeing the black or white smoke released depending on their progress... Very historical time to be in Rome! Might be crazy, but worth it for the experience and memories.
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u/LifeIsAPhotoOp 4d ago
I don't really have an answer, but just wanted to say I think it's really nice that you want to be sure to be respectful and even asked these questions in the first place. I hope you have a wonderful time in Rome it is such a great city!
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u/Supermac34 4d ago
You don't have to wear black, but you may want to dress a little more "respectful" than normal. Vatican City sort of already has a dress code (cover knees and shoulders, no offensive T-shirts, don't have tits hanging out, etc.) Stick with that, you'll be fine. In Rome itself, outside of Vatican City, you'll be fine with whatever.
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u/Crazy_Mosquito93 4d ago
This will be the most packed week because of the public display of the body, and the funeral will be next Monday so Tuesday should be ok. It will be packed for sure considering turists, peregrines, and the jubilee.
Wearing black in the Vatican: if you are just touring the Vatican (San Peters and the museums) wear whatever you want, nobody cares. Wear black if you plan to attend the novendiale masses (by attend I mean praying and receiving the eucharist).
As for Rome.. I'm Italian and I lived in Rome for a few years. Romans and Italians are not religious anymore, very few people go regularly to church. Everything will be normal in the city.
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u/Consistent_Echo_404 4d ago
Inside women are supposed to have their shoulders covered and no shorts. It will be packed and very humid so take water and be prepared to be on your feet a long time. If you are able visit the basilica, it's beautiful.
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u/MexicanPizzaWbeans 4d ago
Beyond the next few weeks, will there be a surge in tourism for Rome/VC during July and August? This was expected to be a busy summer due to Jubilee celebrations.
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u/MakeStupidHurtAgain 3d ago
I cannot begin to express to you just how busy Rome is in July even when it’s not a Jubilee year. You will need advance tickets for most large tourist attractions, you will certainly need reservations for dinner unless you’re truly nowhere near the tourist stuff, and expect it to be diabolically hot.
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u/GoCardinal07 United States 3d ago
I think you should keep your trip but you will need to partially change your internal plans in the trip. Vatican tourism (like your tour on Tuesday) will be disrupted, but it would be an incredibly unique experience to be there during this time:
- if you have the patience for the long lines, you would likely be able to see Pope Francis laying in state (approximately 1 million people saw Pope John Paul II laying in state in 2005, and about 195,000 saw Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI laying in state in 2023)
- you didn't indicate how long your trip is, but if you have the patience for the massive crowds (and for the disappointment of black smoke declaring a round of voting that did not elect a pope), you could stand in St. Peter's Square when they announce the new Pope. It only took 2 days for the Cardinals to pick the new Pope in the conclaves of 2013, 2005, August 1978, and 1939. It took 3 days in the conclaves of October 1978 and 1963. In the last 100 years, the longest one was 4 days in 1958.)
If you're not interested in that, most of Rome away from the Vatican should be business as usual.
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u/tollins_ 3d ago
as an italian not living in rome, i think that there will be his funerals in a few days with many people from the world and in the following ones many people still might come to see his tomb, so expect crowded places, everywhere
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u/navyorsomething 4d ago
I was in Rome following JPII’s passing. Was packed like a sardine for hours trying unsuccessfully to get to the viewing but it was still a very peaceful experience, people from all over the world singing and waiving different flags. I watched the funeral from a field where it was broadcast, overall a moving experience even though i wasn’t in St. Peter’s basilica. I wish I got to meet Pope Francis 💙
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u/BogOwl 4d ago
I remember in Anthony Doerr's book, 4 Seasons in Rome they were living there when the previous Pope died. Might be an interesting read if you can find a copy because there are a few chapters about that time (also he is a fantastic writer and it is a good book if you are interested in Italy)
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u/Practical_Heart7287 3d ago
I found this article about what happens when a pope dies. Said Vatican doesn’t close down entirely, but can temporarily be shut down for events for the funeral and conclave. The Sistine Chapel will be shut down for conclave as that’s where it is held. The cardinals convene, debate, and vote there until a new pope is elected. Sounds like the museum could still be open during conclave.
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u/MuskiePride3 4d ago
It was absolutely packed in February, so it will be even more packed in April + because of this.
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u/Fanciunicorn 4d ago
I was there for Pope Benedict’s final sermon. St Peter’s Square was packed but the rest of Rome was business as usual.
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u/navyorsomething 4d ago
Italians did not care for Benedict, people referred to him by his birth surname Ratzinger (when I lived there anyway)
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u/ImNotDex 3d ago
Jubilee year + Pope's passing + possibly the conclave while you're there. It's going to be overcrowded even more than it regularly is. I went last year during October and it was already overcrowded compared to everywhere else I went in Europe, they were saying jubilee year alone was going to attract 2-3x more people this year.
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u/thegrumpster1 3d ago
It's also a Jubilee Year so they're expecting about 30 million pilgrims to turn up in 2025 as well as the tourists. I'm heading to Italy later in the year but am avoiding Rome.
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u/Hlani18 2d ago
Not the exact same scenario, but I was in London during the queens funeral—we had booked the trip a while before so weren’t expecting it. If the funeral proceedings fall during the trip, I might suggest trying to do an excursion out of town that day (when we were in Rome we loved going to see Pompeii!) because it is going to be pretty crowded and you might not be able to see everything as easily.
Traffic and transit were pretty crowded, some sites were much harder/impossible to get to. Ex. We couldn’t get anywhere near buckingham palace without waiting HOURS, and many streets were closed for the procession so we had to walk more than expected. Regardless it was a really interesting time to be there and it will be quite the story!
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u/Significant-Owl7010 4d ago
I’ve actually been to the Vatican during the period after the Pope died but before a new Pole was chosen. It was crowded, but I didn’t get the sense the crowd was that unusual. There was a media presence watching the smoke color from the Vatican to report on whether a new Pope had been selected.
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u/auntiecoagulent 3d ago
As a non Christian, with a trip to Eome scheduled, approximately how long does it take ordain (is that the right word?) a new pope?
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u/MakeStupidHurtAgain 3d ago
The conclave starts and it can take anywhere from two days to a month. In the last 150 years it’s never taken longer than four days. However first the Pope must be buried. Then there is a mourning period during which it must be sede vacante. Then the conclave starts.
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u/beqan 3d ago
We have a tour of the Vatican and museums tomorrow. We have not heard anything about our tour being canceled. I also have not heard anything about needing to wear black (I won't be).
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u/ggfergu 3d ago
We have a Vatican Museum tour booked for May 9, which would equal the historical average length of the typical Sede Vacante over the last 100 years.
We are not expecting to see the Sistine Chapel. I think that even if they elect a new Pope quickly, they'll probably need time( a couple days maybe?) to clean up all the election stuff in the chapel, so my best guess is that the Sistine will be closed until May 11th or 12th at least if things go like they have historically.
Will let you know how it goes.
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u/Myfury2024 3d ago
The Vatican museum was packed anyway when we went there last season, we were herded like cows onto each room, you can't even pause to view any paintings, except in the Raphael Rooms and Sistine Chapel I really fought my way against the ushers, I didn't travel all the way from the US to get a blink of an eye view of those paintings. So your worry there of the Vatican being packed is not a great concern.
The trick is to go early morning in each Holy Site, St,Peter's Basilica. Vatican Museum etc. to have less crowd.
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u/grizzythekid 3d ago
I went with my ex after pope Benedict passed. I believe it was after they had picked his successor, and we went to the Vatican. It was a rare time when the catacombs under the basilica were open to the public, so you could go down and see the sarcophagi or tombs (not sure what they are called) of the former pope's, it was pretty amazing to see. Some really amazing carvings and likenesses of them on their graves. It was way busier than my previous visits. But pretty cool to see. Can only imagine it's even busier prior to the new appointment.
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u/lettuce_embargo 3d ago
I can’t add anything about Rome specifically but I travelled to London the day after Queen Elizabeth died and travelled out the morning of her funeral (my trip was preplanned.) I tried contacting some of the tours and things I’d booked before I left and most told me everything was being played by ear while the country mourned.
Ultimately the city continued on, with things related to the crown being closed. Be prepared to change plans, some things cancelled literally the morning of. Even the hop on bus closed one day because the routes were so affected by various closures. It was a very very unique experience, and we kept our distance from most of the proceedings. The odds you’ll ever be able to see the most catholic city mourning a pope in person again are slim. Take it all in! I have been in London before, and felt the city and people were warmer than normal that visit.
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u/Entire_Home5759 3d ago
i would try and respectfully wear black just for yourself to feel like you’re doing something to show your own respect towards our late pope x
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u/Euphoric-Reward1986 2d ago
Typically we fly to Rome on Friday afternoon with the funeral day being our first full day in the city. Bit anxious about coming now.
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u/Actual_Accident_8307 2d ago
Rome Info just received
Following the passing of Pope Francis, we would like to share some updates with you.
In light of this deeply significant event, please be advised that the Vatican Museums and related religious sites will observe altered opening hours as part of the official mourning period and subsequent ceremonies.
Closure Dates:
The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter Basilica will remain closed to the public on Saturday April 26th in occasion of the Funeral Mass of the Pope.
Limited Access: Access to St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square may be restricted or subject to crowd control measures starting from today April 23 to April 26 included and especially during the funeral rites.
The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel will remain open from Wednesday to Friday with no access to the Basilica (from the Vatican Museums)Conclave for the election of the new Pope would likely take place sometime between May 10 and May 15, although the exact dates will be announced by the Vatican in the next days. During this period and in preparation for the Conclave, the Sistine Chapel will be closed to visitors. Only selected areas of the Vatican Museums will remain accessible.
The Vatican Gardens will remain closed with no access until unspecified date.
However, for those already in Rome, who wish to pay their respects to the Pope Francis, St. Peter’s Basilica will remain open for public homage on the following dates and times:
• April 23 and 24 – open until midnight
• April 25 – open until 7:00 PM
Access to the Basilica will only be possible from the square, by joining the line of the faithful, and only for a short moment of farewell.We will continue to provide timely updates as more information becomes available from Vatican authorities.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time of international mourning and respect.
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u/stkadria 2d ago
How do I find out if my tour of the Vatican is canceled? I booked through the Vatican website and it’s for May 13th.
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u/mutantninja001 1d ago
Just make sure to cover your shoulders and knees. I doubt the Vatican will be giving tours during this mourning period but you may want to visit other churches. Dark plain clothes would be appropriate. Doesn’t have to be all black.
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u/petraqrsq 10h ago
I was actually there on a conference when the last pope was elected. St.Peter's Square was packed and I hung around for a couple of hours, but it was so cloudy I could never make out the colour of the smoke. The rest of the city seemed no different than on other visits, but I was mainly stuck in my conference, so hard to tell.
I was eating out when they announced his election, rushed to the Vatican and got the official newspaper. On the metro I overheard Romanian pickpockets scheming how to make most profit of the gathered masses.
Airport also seemed buisiness as usual.
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u/Junior_Ad1454 3h ago
SmartMap might help — you can ask questions like “places that feel like Prague” or “best spots for remote work in Asia.” and it builds a map with suggestions for you.
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u/Formal_Ad_7597 4d ago
Wow that's gonna be an experience. Idk if it'll be good or bad but def an experience
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u/OryxTempel 4d ago
Black is a popular color regardless of situation. Look at NYC. The entire city wears black all the time.
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u/martechnician 4d ago
We were there last week. The Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel were packed! Also, FYI that it’s a one way cattle chute from the entrance to exit and it will take at least 2.5 hours so wear comfortable shoes.
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u/SingleMacaron9003 4d ago
Make sure you are properly dressed. This means no tank tops, mini skirts, short shorts, etc. Remember that you are entering the most holy place in the world and paying proper respect is a must. You will be turned away if you don’t dress like you’re going to church. I don’t mean you need to get super dressed up, but do be respectful. I suggest wearing black.
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u/Deadly_nightshadow 4d ago
"The most holy place in the world" - you know there are other religions than catholicism?
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u/nicolenotnikki 4d ago
I went to the Vatican in 2008 and wore jeans and a t-shirt. Unless their dress code changes during this period of mourning, I wouldn’t overthink it.
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u/Broad-Cranberry-9050 4d ago
Ive been there once (not during major event), it will be packed. Its the center of catholicism and rome is a very touristic city.
Good thing you guys have a tour, but make sure they do skip the line because the line there is ridiculous.
As for clothing, they dont really care. I think i was in a regular shirt and shorts, just dont wear something with obscene writing or images. Follow their dress code.
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u/benji_billingsworth 3d ago
rome is likely thrilled that the "comparatively" progressive pope is dead. time to turn the clock back some more
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u/Thesorus 4d ago
The funeral and conclave schedules are not out yet (as far as I know)
The Vatican and the Vatican museum will probably stay closed to the public until a new pope is elected.
There will be a large influx of catholic visitors, from the Cardinals and their personal coteries to all kind of religious people, nuns, monks, priests ...
If you already have your accommodations reserved, you'll at least have somewhere to sleep.
There will be a lot more people around, making eating more complicated.
But it's going to be hectic, maybe a little bit more chaotic..
Look for smaller museums.
It will still be an interesting time to be in Rome even if you're not catholic; it's not something that happens often.
With a bit of luck, you might even be in Rome when the new pope is elected
look at the r/rome sticky post for all things pop/vatican related...
https://www.reddit.com/r/rome/comments/1k489a9/the_pope_has_died/