The Bishops’ Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican reported a significant increase in American pilgrims seeking tickets to Vatican events in 2025. The rise was linked to several major occurrences, including the Jubilee Year, the death of Pope Francis on April 21, and the election of Pope Leo on May 8.
According to the office, which is sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pontifical North American College, visitor numbers peaked during October and on November 26, just before Thanksgiving and ahead of Pope Leo’s first trip abroad. During this period, there were between 2,000 and 2,300 ticket requests for three Wednesday general audiences.
The office also experienced a surge in inquiries around key events such as Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26 and Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass on May 18. Many Americans were already present in Rome in late April for St. Carlo Acutis’ expected canonization on April 27, which was postponed until September 7.
The small office near Rome’s Trevi Fountain distributed about 24,000 Wednesday general audience tickets across just 28 audiences in 2025. This represented a 64% increase from the previous year when approximately 21,900 tickets were requested over a total of 42 audiences. The reduction in audience numbers was due to no general audiences held in July or August—when the office is closed—and interruptions caused by Pope Francis’ hospitalization beginning February 14 and his subsequent death.
Mercy Sister Marie Thérèse Savidge, RSM, coordinator for the USCCB’s Visitors’ Office, noted that they remained open even when general audience tickets were unavailable. She said they organized periods of Eucharistic adoration and prayer during these times: “It was a privilege to witness the faith of the handful of visitors each week who came to take timeout of their pilgrimage schedule to pray and intercede for Pope Francis,” she wrote in an article published December 30 on AngelusNews.com.
When Wednesday audiences resumed on May 21 following Pope Leo’s election, attendance surged. “We were used to welcoming about 900 people in peak seasons. But for Pope Leo’s first audience, more than 1,800 came, and since then pilgrims have continued to come in larger numbers than ever,” Sister Marie Thérèse stated.
In addition to distributing audience tickets, the office supported at least 23 papal Masses throughout the year. Located at Casa Santa Maria—the residence for U.S. priests pursuing graduate studies—the office has provided services since the early 1970s.
Visitors request tickets online prior to their trips and collect them at the office upon arrival in Rome. There they receive information regarding procedures for attending Vatican events as well as advice about prohibited items such as metal water bottles and rolling suitcases.
The Mercy Sisters of Alma, Michigan staff the office with assistance from U.S. priests and seminarians studying locally. They explain details about papal blessings and offer guidance about sacraments available both at local churches and within their own facility; four to six priests heard confessions for two to three hours nearly every ticket distribution day from May through December.
Data collected by staff indicated that California, Texas, and Florida accounted for most group visits among states with large populations; however, Illinois—Pope Leo’s home state—ranked above New York despite being less populous overall.
