Can you attend Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, and what are the Mass and confession times?

By Andrew McGilly, Founder of Bold Pilgrim · Updated 2026-10-04
Research draft · Human editorial review pending

Times, dates and prices on this page were checked against the official source on 2026-10-04 (St. Peter's Basilica: Holy Masses). They change; confirm before you travel. Reviewed quarterly.

Yes. St. Peter’s Basilica celebrates public Masses every weekday at 7:00, 7:30, 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. (Altar of St. Joseph), 8:30 a.m. (Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament), and 11:00 a.m., noon, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. (Altar of the Cathedra); on Sundays and holy days at 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. (Altar of St. Joseph) and 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. (Chapter Mass), 12:30, 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. (Altar of the Cathedra). Confessions are heard Monday to Saturday 7:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 4:00–7:00 p.m., and Sunday 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 4:00–7:00 p.m. Entry is free; everyone passes security screening and the dress check.

The Chair of St. Peter (Cathedra Petri) by Bernini, with the Holy Spirit window, in the apse of St. Peter's Basilica

Bernini's Chair of St. Peter and the Holy Spirit window, St. Peter's Basilica · Photo: Andrew McGilly / Bold Pilgrim

Masses are in Italian with Gregorian chant on weekdays; the official schedule lists no English-language Mass, and the basilica notes that celebration locations may change for liturgical needs. Chapter Lauds are sung at 9:45 a.m. and Vespers at 5:00 p.m. on Sundays in the Choir Chapel. After the 8:30 a.m. Mass on weekdays the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in its chapel and adoration continues through the day, ending with Benediction at about 6:45 p.m.

The basilica opens at 7:00 a.m. and, from June 1, closes at 8:00 p.m.; no separate winter closing time is published, so check before an evening visit. Papal celebrations are different: they require a free ticket from the Prefecture of the Papal Household, and the basilica is closed to ordinary visitors during papal ceremonies. A sightseeing reservation is not the same as admission to a papal liturgy.

Related questions, answered

Is there a separate entrance for prayer at St. Peter's Basilica?

Everyone, including those coming to pray or attend Mass, enters St. Peter's through the Italian State Police security checkpoints in the right hemicycle of the square; there is no separate door that avoids screening. Inside, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel on the right side is reserved for silent prayer and adoration, and an attendant admits only those who wish to pray. Early morning, from the 7:00 a.m. opening, is when the line is shortest and when Masses are celebrated at side altars. Pilgrims attending a scheduled Mass should tell the staff at the entrance.

Source: St. Peter's Basilica: visitor questions