Vatican
How to see the Pope at the Vatican
Brian and I saw the Pope and it was not as difficult as I thought it would be. It was a true delight and so surreal.
Tickets to see the Pope are FREE! When planning your trip to Rome, check the Pope's schedule on this official site: Papal Audience
Click on the month of your visit. Pope Francis has four General Masses per month, outside in St. Peter's Square.
You will have to fill out a ticket request form that you'll find on the Papal Audience website and fax it in. You can pick up tickets at the Vatican, see this map. All this information is on their website. It's so exciting and you can get some great video and photos while you are there. The entire visit is quite an experience and it made me very emotional.
What to do at the Vatican City, other than see the Pope?
Tour the Vatican, but make sure you purchase your ticket before you go to Italy! The lines are tremendously long even with a ticket. Visit the official Vatican website for your tickets and select your museum tours. For non-guided tours, which I don't recommend because you miss so much go to this Vatican webpage.
Before You Go
Entry to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Gardens is permitted only to appropriately dressed visitors.
Low cut or sleeveless clothing, shorts, miniskirts and hats are not allowed.
Medium and large umbrellas (or standard non-telescopic umbrellas), sticks (apart from those used for walking), tripods and stands for photography, video cameras, banners and signs of any type must all be left in the cloakroom. NO SELFIE STICKS.