Easter 2019 At St. Peter's Basilica In Rome
Dates: 14.04.19 - 22.04.19. Venue: St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City.
Easter is one of the most important holidays, if not the most important holiday in the Catholic calendar. Rome and the Vatican, being home to the Catholic Church, attract lots of visitors and pilgrims during the period. The masses during both Easter and Christmas are traditionally celebrated at St. Peter's Basilica. Capacity is limited and it can be very difficult sometimes to get tickets for these events, so you should book as far in advance as possible, usually no less than 2 months. Therefore, unless you already have an entrance ticket for the papal mass, it would be best to avoid St. Peter's Basilica during the Easter masses. More information can be found on the official St. Peter's Basilica Papal Audience website. Furthermore, below is an outline of the planned Easter programme:
- Palm Sunday (14th April): Papal mass is at 9.30am. Plan to visit the basilica sometime after noon.
- Maundy Thursday (18th April): Papal mass is at 9.30am. Plan to visit the basilica sometime after noon.
- Good Friday (19th April): Papal mass is at 5.00pm. The basilica will close earlier than usual, so try early morning.
- Holy Saturday (20th April): Papal mass is at 8.30pm. The basilica will be open normally.
- Easter Sunday (21st April): Easter Mass is at 10.00am in the square. This will be followed by the Pope's address to the crowd, Urbi et Orbi, at noon. Plan to visit the basilica no earlier than 1.00pm.
- Easter Monday (22nd April): Papal mass is at noon. Plan to visit the basilica no earlier than 1.30pm.
Remember too that Easter Monday (22nd April) is an official holiday in Rome, so several attractions, shops and restaurants may be closed.