{"id":7295,"date":"2015-02-14T16:11:43","date_gmt":"2015-02-14T15:11:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=7295"},"modified":"2026-06-09T11:18:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T10:18:59","slug":"pope-francis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways Pope Francis Changed the Vatican (and the World)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"color: #222222;\">\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, he became a history-maker overnight: the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first non-European pontiff in more than 1,200 years. During his 12-year papacy, he reshaped the image of the Catholic Church through a combination of humility, reform, and a renewed focus on compassion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Whether you&#8217;re planning to visit Vatican City or simply want to understand the legacy of one of the most influential religious leaders of the 21st century, many of the changes introduced by Pope Francis can still be seen throughout the Vatican today.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21025\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21025\" class=\"wp-image-21025 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Pope-Francis.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling Pope Francis greeting adoring fans while riding in the pope mobile in Rome.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Pope-Francis.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Pope-Francis-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21025\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A smiling Pope Francis greeting adoring fans while riding in the pope mobile in Rome.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#10_Ways_Pope_Francis_Changed_the_Vatican\" >10 Ways Pope Francis Changed the Vatican<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#1_He_Made_Humility_the_Symbol_of_the_Papacy\" >1. He Made Humility the Symbol of the Papacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#2_He_Put_the_Poor_at_the_Centre_of_the_Church\" >2. He Put the Poor at the Centre of the Church<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#3_He_Opened_Dialogue_with_Science\" >3. He Opened Dialogue with Science<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#4_He_Changed_the_Tone_Towards_LGBTQ_Catholics\" >4. He Changed the Tone Towards LGBTQ+ Catholics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#5_He_Expanded_the_Global_Face_of_the_Vatican\" >5. He Expanded the Global Face of the Vatican<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#6_He_Reformed_Vatican_Finances\" >6. He Reformed Vatican Finances<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#7_He_Simplified_the_Image_of_the_Papacy\" >7. He Simplified the Image of the Papacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#8_He_Reformed_the_Roman_Curia\" >8. He Reformed the Roman Curia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#9_He_Changed_How_Millions_Viewed_the_Catholic_Church\" >9. He Changed How Millions Viewed the Catholic Church<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#10_He_Opened_More_of_Vatican_City_to_Visitors\" >10. He Opened More of Vatican City to Visitors<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#A_New_Chapter_Pope_Leo_XIV\" >A New Chapter: Pope Leo XIV<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#Can_You_Still_Meet_the_Pope_When_You_Visit_Vatican_City\" >Can You Still Meet the Pope When You Visit Vatican City?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#Papal_Audiences\" >Papal Audiences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#Sunday_Angelus\" >Sunday Angelus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#How_to_Visit_Vatican_City_and_Experience_Pope_Francis_Legacy\" >How to Visit Vatican City and Experience Pope Francis&#8217; Legacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#What_is_Pope_Francis_most_remembered_for\" >What is Pope Francis most remembered for?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#Can_anyone_attend_a_Papal_Audience\" >Can anyone attend a Papal Audience?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/pope-francis\/#Is_Vatican_City_worth_visiting_even_if_youre_not_religious\" >Is Vatican City worth visiting even if you&#8217;re not religious?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Ways_Pope_Francis_Changed_the_Vatican\"><\/span>10 Ways Pope Francis Changed the Vatican<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_He_Made_Humility_the_Symbol_of_the_Papacy\"><\/span>1. He Made Humility the Symbol of the Papacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pope Francis chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, as a reminder to never forget the poor and a sign of his commitment and concern for the well being of the poor. As a result, he immediately eschewed luxury in favor of a more\u00a0humble and collegial\u00a0approach to his papacy. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">On the night of his election he returned back to the hotel on the bus with the other cardinals, rather than in the papal car and he decided against living in the lavish Apostolic Palace, living instead in a Casa Santa <\/span>Marta guesthouse.<\/p>\n<p>He regularly travelled in modest vehicles and favoured simple clothing, reinforcing his belief that the Church should serve rather than rule.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_He_Put_the_Poor_at_the_Centre_of_the_Church\"><\/span>2. He Put the Poor at the Centre of the Church<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis consistently called on Catholics to care for refugees, migrants, and those living in poverty. His actions helped redefine the Vatican&#8217;s public image around service and compassion.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_He_Opened_Dialogue_with_Science\"><\/span>3. He Opened Dialogue with Science<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Pope Francis embraced scientific discovery, stating that evolution and the Big Bang are compatible with faith rather than contradictory.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #202022;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Big Bang Theory, Pope Francis said, &#8220;does not contradict the creative intervention of God&#8230;On the contrary, it requires it.&#8221; For him, science answers &#8220;how&#8221; and religion focuses on the &#8220;why.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">His environmental encyclical <em>Laudato Si&#8217;<\/em> also became one of the Church&#8217;s most influential modern documents on climate change.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_He_Changed_the_Tone_Towards_LGBTQ_Catholics\"><\/span>4. He Changed the Tone Towards LGBTQ+ Catholics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Although Church doctrine remained unchanged, Pope Francis adopted a noticeably more welcoming language, famously asking, &#8220;Who am I to judge?&#8221; His approach encouraged dialogue and inclusion while maintaining traditional teachings.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While gay marriage is still adamantly ruled out, the meeting signified a more open approach to homosexual families, declaring that gay people be &#8220;welcomed with respect and delicacy.&#8221; A separate message from the bishops delivered to Christian families said: &#8220;Christ wanted his church to be a house with the door always open to welcome everyone, without excluding anyone.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_He_Expanded_the_Global_Face_of_the_Vatican\"><\/span>5. He Expanded the Global Face of the Vatican<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Throughout his papacy, Francis appointed cardinals from countries that had rarely been represented before, including nations across Africa, Asia, and Oceania, making Church leadership more reflective of its worldwide congregation.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pope Francis appointed 20 new cardinals from all over the world, changing the face of the Catholic Church,\u00a0 literally as well as figuratively. The new cardinals from places like Tonga, Myanmar and Colombia, represent large swatches of today&#8217;s Christians and add a plurality of voices in the ever-homogeneous Vatican City.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_23052\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23052\" class=\"wp-image-23052 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/cardinals.jpg\" alt=\"A man folding his hands together in front of ornate white and gold clothing.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/cardinals.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/cardinals-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23052\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pope Francis appointed 20 new cardinals from all over the world<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_He_Reformed_Vatican_Finances\"><\/span>6. He Reformed Vatican Finances<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Francis introduced greater financial oversight, created new economic departments, and strengthened transparency measures within Vatican institutions, addressing long-standing concerns about accountability.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He has focused on imposing fiscal discipline in the city-state by creating a new Secretariat for the Economy. He abolished the bonuses paid to Vatican employees after the election of a new pope, donating the money to charity instead and also cut out the 25,000 euro annual bonus paid to cardinals on the Board of Supervisors for the Vatican bank.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_He_Simplified_the_Image_of_the_Papacy\"><\/span>7. He Simplified the Image of the Papacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Gone were many of the elaborate traditions associated with previous pontiffs. Francis preferred simple liturgies, smaller personal quarters, and direct interactions with pilgrims, making the papacy feel more accessible.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_He_Reformed_the_Roman_Curia\"><\/span>8. He Reformed the Roman Curia<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">One of his longest-lasting achievements was the restructuring of the Vatican&#8217;s central administration. The reforms aimed to improve efficiency, reduce bureaucracy, and place evangelization at the heart of Church governance.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_He_Changed_How_Millions_Viewed_the_Catholic_Church\"><\/span>9. He Changed How Millions Viewed the Catholic Church<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Perhaps Pope Francis&#8217; greatest legacy was cultural rather than structural. His emphasis on mercy, dialogue, environmental responsibility, and social justice reached far beyond practising Catholics and reshaped global perceptions of the Vatican.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_He_Opened_More_of_Vatican_City_to_Visitors\"><\/span>10. He Opened More of Vatican City to Visitors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">During his papacy, increased efforts were made to share Vatican treasures with the public, while nearby sites such as the Castel Gandolfo\u00a0palace and gardens, once reserved as the papal summer residence, became major visitor attractions.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Insider tip<\/strong>: For a unique look at artefacts of past pope\u00b4s, and a great day out of the city, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/castel-gandolfo-pope-summer-palace-rome\">visit Castel Gandolfo<\/a> &#8211; the palace and gardens which were previously the private summer residence of the pope.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_21739\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21739\" class=\"wp-image-21739 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Castel-Gandolfo-Gardens.jpg\" alt=\"Castel Gandolfo Gardens has expansive manicured gardens with statues in the background.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"795\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Castel-Gandolfo-Gardens.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Castel-Gandolfo-Gardens-768x509.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21739\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Castel Gandolfo &#8211; historically the summer palace of the pope &#8211; is now open to the public. Photo credit: Carole Raddato<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_New_Chapter_Pope_Leo_XIV\"><\/span>A New Chapter: Pope Leo XIV<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Following the death of Pope Francis in 2025, the Catholic Church entered a new era with the election of Pope Leo XIV.<\/p>\n<p>Chosen by the College of Cardinals during the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/papal-conclave\">papal conclave<\/a> in Vatican City, he became the first pope from the United States and the 267th successor to St. Peter. By selecting the name Leo, he signaled a desire to build on the Church&#8217;s rich traditions while addressing the challenges of the modern world.<\/p>\n<p>As the new spiritual leader of more than a billion Catholics, Pope Leo XIV now leads the Vatican into its next chapter, inheriting many of the reforms and priorities established during Pope Francis&#8217; papacy while bringing his own vision and leadership to the role.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25331\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25331\" class=\"wp-image-25331 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/cq5dam.thumbnail.cropped.1500.844.jpeg\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica (@Vatican Media)\" width=\"1280\" height=\"844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/cq5dam.thumbnail.cropped.1500.844.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/cq5dam.thumbnail.cropped.1500.844-768x506.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25331\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St. Peter&#8217;s Basilica. Photo credit: Vatican Media<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"color: #222222;\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_You_Still_Meet_the_Pope_When_You_Visit_Vatican_City\"><\/span>Can You Still Meet the Pope When You Visit Vatican City?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Papal_Audiences\"><\/span>Papal Audiences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1836\" data-end=\"2163\"><strong>General Papal Audiences are usually held every Wednesday when the Pope is in Rome, giving visitors the opportunity to see the Holy Father and receive his Apostolic Blessing.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1836\" data-end=\"2163\">Tickets are free but should be requested in advance, and seating is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is highly recommended.\u00a0Most audiences take place in <strong data-start=\"2197\" data-end=\"2219\">St. Peter&#8217;s Square<\/strong> and currently begin at <strong data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2257\">10:00 a.m. <\/strong>During colder months or in bad weather, they may be moved to the <strong data-start=\"2323\" data-end=\"2348\">Paul VI Audience Hall<\/strong>.\u00a0Visitors should allow plenty of time for security screening and follow the directions of Vatican staff, as entry points can vary depending on the event.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1836\" data-end=\"2163\">For the latest schedule, ticket information, and any last-minute changes, always <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/vatican\/en\/prenotazione-celebrazioni-udienze.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">consult the official Papal Audience website<\/a> before your visit.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1836\" data-end=\"2163\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sunday_Angelus\"><\/span>Sunday Angelus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1836\" data-end=\"2163\"><strong>When the Pope is in Rome, visitors can also attend the traditional Sunday Angelus in St. Peter&#8217;s Square.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1836\" data-end=\"2163\">At 12:00 noon, the Pope delivers a short reflection on the Gospel, leads the Angelus prayer (or the Regina Caeli during the Easter season), and imparts his Apostolic Blessing to the thousands gathered below. No ticket is required, making it one of the easiest ways to see the Pope during a visit to Vatican City.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"1836\" data-end=\"2163\"><strong>Insider tip:<\/strong> You must w<span style=\"color: #000000;\">ear respectful clothes to the Papal Audience. Shoulders should be covered and shorts\/skirts should fall at the knee. Check our handy advice on the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/the-vatican-dress-code\"> Vatican dress code<\/a> <\/span>if you intend to join the papal audience, visit the Vatican Museums, St Peter\u00b4s Basilica or Sistine Chapel.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_15675\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15675\" class=\"wp-image-15675 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/St-Peters-Square-Vatican-City.jpg\" alt=\"Enjoy the view more than 425 feet high\u00a0from\u00a0the Basilica's massive dome.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15675\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The view of St Peter\u00b4s Square from more than 425 feet high,\u00a0from\u00a0the Basilica&#8217;s massive dome.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Visit_Vatican_City_and_Experience_Pope_Francis_Legacy\"><\/span>How to Visit Vatican City and Experience Pope Francis&#8217; Legacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">The Vatican welcomes millions of visitors every year, making advance planning essential. Early morning tours offer the best opportunity to experience the Vatican Museums before peak crowds arrive, while expert guides help bring centuries of history, and Pope Francis&#8217; modern legacy, to life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">If you&#8217;re interested in understanding not just the art but the stories behind the world&#8217;s smallest country, a guided visit provides invaluable context that transforms your experience.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19073\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19073\" class=\"wp-image-19073 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize.jpg\" alt=\"Inside the Vatican\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-19073\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Vatican Museums house an extensive collection of art and artifacts amassed by the Catholic Church over centuries.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Pope_Francis_most_remembered_for\"><\/span>What is Pope Francis most remembered for?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Pope Francis is remembered for his humility, concern for the poor, environmental advocacy, financial reforms, and efforts to create a more welcoming and globally representative Catholic Church.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_anyone_attend_a_Papal_Audience\"><\/span>Can anyone attend a Papal Audience?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Yes. Papal Audiences are free and open to the public, although advance reservations are required due to high demand.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Vatican_City_worth_visiting_even_if_youre_not_religious\"><\/span>Is Vatican City worth visiting even if you&#8217;re not religious?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Absolutely. Vatican City is home to some of the world&#8217;s greatest artistic and architectural masterpieces, including St. Peter&#8217;s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and Michelangelo&#8217;s Sistine Chapel ceiling, making it one of Rome&#8217;s essential attractions.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17238\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17238\" class=\"wp-image-17238 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Walks-Pristine-Sistine-Vatican-1.jpg\" alt=\"Bernini's Baldachin in St. Peter's Basilica\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-17238\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marvel at the Bernini&#8217;s Baldachin inside St. Peter&#8217;s Basilica<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Visit Vatican City and Discover the Legacy of Pope Francis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">From the grandeur of St. Peter&#8217;s Basilica to the masterpieces of the Vatican Museums, every corner of Vatican City tells a story that spans centuries.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re hoping to visit Vatican City, attend a Papal Audience, or simply gain a deeper understanding of the world&#8217;s smallest state, exploring with an expert guide brings these remarkable places to life.\u00a0From early-entry experiences to exclusive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/\">Vatican city tours,<\/a> Walks of Italy helps you discover the history, art, and enduring legacy of one of the world&#8217;s most fascinating destinations.<\/p>\n<p>Tours include the <strong style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/pristine-sistine-chapel-tour\">Pristine Sistine Chapel tour<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> &#8211; which gets you inside the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/sicily-tours\/mt-etna-tours\"><strong>Vatican Museums<\/strong><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and Sistine Chapel before general opening time, or join our most exclusive experience: <\/span><strong style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/key-masters-tour-sistine-chapel-vatican-museums\/\">VIP Vatican Key Master\u2019s Tour: Unlock the Sistine Chapel<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0where you\u2019ll have the Vatican Museums to yourself for two full hours as you enter with Key Master before dawn.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, he became a history-maker overnight: the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first non-European pontiff in more than 1,200 years. During his 12-year papacy, he reshaped the image of the Catholic Church through a combination of humility, reform, and a renewed focus on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":3756,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[327,19,211],"ppma_author":[161],"class_list":["post-7295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-the-pope","tag-vatican","tag-vatican-city"],"authors":[{"term_id":161,"user_id":40,"is_guest":0,"slug":"ginamussio","display_name":"Gina Mussio","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d9497ce1b0417babd82886ad23b18998?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"Mussio","first_name":"Gina","job_title":"","description":"Gina is a Midwesterner living in Lombardy, Italy where she writes about Italian culture, travel and food. She is a bilingual primary school teacher by day, forever interested in developing cross-culture communication skills across languages. Gina loves touring Italy's beautiful and tiny borghi with her family and exploring Italy's culture through its culinary history."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7295"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7295"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7295\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25627,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7295\/revisions\/25627"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7295"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7295"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7295"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=7295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}