What are the Mass and confession times at St. Paul Outside the Walls?

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. Paul Outside the Walls: sacristy and reservations). They change; confirm before you travel. Reviewed quarterly.

Confessions at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls are heard every morning from 8:30 a.m. to noon and every afternoon from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., and the basilica is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with free admission. The basilica publishes its Mass timetable only as an image on its celebrations page, not as text, so check that page or call +39 06 698 80 800 before planning a visit around a particular Mass.

Pilgrim groups can book a Mass: groups of up to 600 reserve through the Sacristy (06 69880812, sacrestia@abbaziasanpaolo.org), and larger groups through the Administrative Office (06 69880800); the booking form asks for the celebration language. The sacristy is open 8:00 a.m.–noon and 4:00–6:30 p.m., and the shop and cafeteria 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

The tomb of the Apostle lies under the high altar: the 2006 excavation opened the place where the sarcophagus rests, and since 2007 pilgrims have been able to go down and pray before the partially visible sarcophagus of Paul. The 13th-century cloister, Pinacoteca, Chapel of the Relics and archaeological area are visited on one €4.00 ticket (reduced €3.00) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Two dates matter for pilgrims: on January 25, the Conversion of St. Paul, the Pope presides at Second Vespers here to close the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and in Holy Week 2026 the basilica celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the Good Friday liturgy at 5:00 p.m. The basilica is about 3 km south of the center on Metro B (Basilica San Paolo).

What are the Mass and confession times at St. Paul Outside the Walls?

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