Earlier this week, the Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State.
Pope Francis, 88, died on Monday, April 21, from heart failure. His death follows a memorable appearance at Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, where he inspired a crowd estimated at over 35,000 people.
Tributes have poured in from around the world as the estimated 1.4 billion Catholics mourn the loss of a leader known for his compassion and progressive views.
Today, Saturday, April 26, the Vatican is set to hold a funeral liturgy in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the ceremony, honouring the life and legacy of the man who devoted his life to serving others.
In light of the mourning period, many popular tourist attractions within the Vatican have been temporarily closed, with plans to reopen shortly after the funeral.
This solemn occasion has sparked an increase in travel to the Vatican as faithful Catholics and tourists seek to pay their respects and visit this holy city.
Looking ahead, 2025 will be a significant year for the Catholic Church as it heralds the beginning of the Jubilee, a special year of grace dedicated to fostering spirituality within the community.
The Jubilee is projected to attract around 35 million visitors, making the Vatican a focal point of pilgrimage and celebration.
As visitors plan their journeys to Rome during this holy period, numerous iconic attractions await them.
Top attractions to visit in Vatican City
With its collection of some of the most monumental works of art globally and its iconic buildings, it’s no surprise that a trip to the Vatican is often considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
While St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums are quintessential stops, there are also several lesser-known gems that enrich the Vatican experience.
Below are five remarkable attractions you will not want to miss:
The Vatican Grottoes
The Vatican Grottoes are a complex of underground vaults and chambers situated beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.
They were originally built in the late 16th century to support the basilica’s structure and later converted to house tombs.
The Grottoes are distinct from the Vatican Necropolis, a separate ancient burial ground located at a lower level. They serve as a final resting place for numerous popes, with tombs and sarcophagi lining the corridors.
The Grottoes are open to the public and can be visited free of charge.
Bernini’s Colonnade
Bernini’s Colonnade at Saint Peter’s Square is one of the most iconic parts of Vatican City and a must-see for visitors.
Built from a design by Bernini between 1656 and 1667, the square has become one of the most famous of its kind.
Seen from above, it resembles a giant keyhole with two large colonnades, which Bernini intended to resemble the “motherly arms of the church”.
Tourists and visitors often gather at this spot within the Vatican Museums to catch a view of the Papal Apartments and witness the Papal Address.
St. Peter’s Square is free to visit and doesn’t close unless there’s a special ceremony going on.
Sistine Chapel
Forming a small part of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope’s official residence, the Sistine Chapel was named after Pope Sixtus IV, who commissioned the building during the 15th century.
Today, the chapel is both an attraction and the site of the Papal conclave for the election of the new Pope.
One of the main reasons for visiting the Chapel is for the stunning artwork and must-see frescoes adorning the ceiling that were completed by Michelangelo from 1508-1512.
Though all electronic devices are banned during the conclave, on a normal day, you may just be lucky enough to get a selfie with the new Pope.
Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo
Although not technically located within Vatican City’s official boundaries, Castel Sant’Angelo is intricately linked to the Vatican through a historical passageway known as the Passetto di Borgo.
Running 800 meters long it served as a refuge, not once, but twice, when the serving pope found his life in danger.
Originally, the building was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for his family during the Middle Ages, but its favourable position next to the river soon resulted in a change of function.
Instead, it became a defensive fortress when the city came under threat, and thanks to its unassailable structure, the Popes also used it to store their treasure during times of attack.
Inside, you can see a collection of weapons and armour, Renaissance frescoes and the Papal residence.
Vatican Mosaic Studio
Tucked away in a small area within the Vatican are the Vatican Mosaic Studios.
Though they might not be the most ornate rooms in the building, they produce some of the most beautiful works of art.
The studios are dedicated to restoring the ten thousand square meters of mosaic to be found within Saint Peter’s Basilica, along with producing mosaics for individual collectors and the Pope who occasionally gifts them to heads of state.
The degree of artistry and care put into these works is acute, with pieces of mosaic being heated up to 800 degrees to form a unique color hue. Which is why the price for a bespoke mosaic can be very expensive.
You’ll only be able to access the studios on a privately guided tour, which is a small price to pay to witness Vatican artists at work.
