On Wednesday, 7 May, Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world will be locked inside the Sistine Chapel as the conclave – the storied process to elect a new pope – begins.
Rome and the Vatican City have seen a surge of visitors following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April.
Mourners queued long into the night outside St Peter’s Basilica to catch a glimpse of the pontiff lying in state, and thousands then lined the streets for his funeral procession.
Pope Francis’ death also triggered a series of religious procedures to prepare for his successor, and the world’s eyes are now trained on a chimney which will proclaim the election outcome.
Tourists who have booked to visit Rome in the coming days will experience the city during a rare historical moment, but they should also prepare for heavy crowds and closed attractions.
Here’s what to know about travel disruptions in Rome, or, if you’re planning a trip to witness some of the religious traditions, where you can participate in them.
When will the Sistine Chapel be closed?
Travellers to Rome in the next few weeks should still expect closures, visitor restrictions and crowds at some of the city’s main attractions.
Rome’s key tourist sites within the Vatican – the heart of the Catholic Church – are now absorbed by mourning and reelection procedures.
The conclave, a strictly confidential gathering of cardinals closed inside the Sistine Chapel, begins tomorrow.
As such, the room adorned by Michelangelo’s frescoed tour de force has now closed and will remain so for the entire duration of the process.
It will likely open again a couple of days after the conclave ends, as it has done after the death of previous Popes. As this process can go on for days, it is possible the Sistine Chapel will not reopen before mid-May.
The chapel is accessed through the Vatican Museums. These will remain open to visitors with all other parts accessible, including the Raphael Rooms, according to tour operator Through Eternity Tours.
Tours of the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis and the Vatican Gardens are suspended for security reasons, however, as the cardinals are bused back and forth from the chapel to their accommodation through the grounds.
The Vatican Museums states that all tickets, including for the Sistine Chapel, are non-refundable and dates, times or names cannot be modified.
If you have purchased tickets through a third-party operator, you should check their website or contact them about refunds or date changes.
ADVERTISEMENTVisiting for the conclave? Where to see the white smoke
While it may be disappointing to forgo seeing the Sistine Chapel, a visit in this period can also be a once-in-a-lifetime experience (the Italian expression for ‘once in a blue moon’ is ‘every time a pope dies’).
In fact, media crews and thousands of visitors will be packed into St Peter’s Square and the surrounding area from tomorrow.
They’ll be hoping to glimpse the symbolic smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney and the first appearance of the new pope at the loggia (balcony) of St Peter’s Basilica to deliver the Urbi et Orbi blessing.
The colour of the smoke indicates the outcome of voting rounds – black for inconclusive, white for the successful election of a new pope.
ADVERTISEMENTAccording to the National Catholic Reporter, you can see the smoke from the chapel twice daily – around noon after the first two ballots and again at 7 pm after the last round of voting.
White smoke might appear earlier, at around 10.30 am or 5.30 pm.
St Peter’s Square will likely be very difficult to access during the process, but religious artefact vendor Mondo Cattolico has shared several other locations to witness the historic moment.
Via della Conciliazione, the main avenue leading into the square, provides a broad view, ideal for those arriving later or seeking a wide perspective on the gathering.
ADVERTISEMENTPiazza Pio XII, just outside St. Peter’s Square, offers a less crowded experience while still maintaining a full view of the basilica. Ponte Sant’Angelo and the terrace of Castel Sant’Angelo give a panoramic view of the Vatican skyline and the rising smoke.
The vendor also suggests seeking out nearby rooftop terraces of hotels and cafes that provide unique angles on the conclave’s defining moment.
Long queues and dress codes for St Peter’s Basilica
Crowds and queues around the Vatican are still heavy, especially given the celebrations for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year are already drawing an increased number of visitors.
Pope Francis has now been buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, but those wanting to visit St Peter’s Basilica should still expect long wait times and heightened security.
ADVERTISEMENTThe dress code for visiting the sacred site is being strictly enforced. This includes having shoulders and knees covered and avoiding wearing short skirts, shorts, flip-flops and sleeveless tops.
Tourists should also expect crowds at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a majestic UNESCO-designated sanctuary containing a piece of the Holy Crib and a venerated icon of the Virgin Mary as the protector of the Roman people.
Rome flight and hotel prices soar
With visitors from around the world descending on Rome, prices have seen a sharp uptick. If you are planning a short-notice trip to participate in some of the events, you should expect higher flight fares.
“We’ll definitely see an increase in flight prices to Rome and to Italy over the next few weeks, as the faithful flock to pay their respects and potentially to see the announcement of the new Pope,” Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder, told Australian site news.com.au.
ADVERTISEMENTHotel prices in Rome are also likely to rise as demand increases, says Tim Hentschel, the co-founder and CEO of travel company HotelPlanner, while some shops and restaurants may be closed as a sign of respect.
