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Smiles and laughter fill the Bishops’ Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican, located near Rome’s Trevi Fountain. Every Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of Americans visit this office to collect tickets for Pope Francis's weekly general audience on Wednesdays.
The Mercy Sisters of Alma, Michigan, along with U.S. priests and seminarians studying in Rome, manage the office. It is sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pontifical North American College.
Visitors request tickets online before traveling and collect them upon arrival in Rome. They receive guidance on attending the audience, including advice on where to sit for a better view of Pope Francis. Sister Celeste Mary Poche shared that sitting or standing near a baby often attracts attention from the pope.
Sister Maria Juan Anderson, coordinator of the visitors’ office, explained that attendees come from various backgrounds and ages, some active in their parishes while others are not Catholic. The orientation includes catechesis about who the pope is and his significance.
“The sacraments are gifts to us from God,” said Sister Maria Juan. She emphasized making confession accessible: “We are all sinners... there is a remedy for sin.”
Confessions are available at Casa Santa Maria, where two priests hear confessions weekly during busy seasons.
In low tourist seasons like January and February, around 300 free audience tickets are distributed weekly; this number rises during Holy Week and Easter season.
Newlywed couples receive special attention at these audiences, sitting in a designated section to receive blessings from Pope Francis. On Feb 4., several newlyweds arrived to pick up their tickets and shared stories about their weddings.
Despite facilitating many meetings with Pope Francis for others, Sister Maria Juan has not met him herself but finds joy in helping others encounter him: “I am really happy that I can help other people every week have the opportunity to see the Holy Father.”
