Clothing when visiting the Vatican and St. Peters in Rome

[Shoshana]

D’oh :nope:

Unfortunately we didn’t get a viewing of the late beloved JP2 (if only we’d known :crying - we went in August and he was off on summer holidays (stupid time to go to Rome by the way, practically the whole city just packs up for the month and runs away, apart from the tourists and tourist guides).

I feel bad for you! We went in October. So there was the angelus thingie and then, we had a ticket to the Papal Mass. We went hours before the Mass. Our spiritual director told us to bring a book. And I did! You could see him in a popemobile…but this time, I did not cry.

The pilgrimage to Italy whas nowhere near the the pilgrimage to Israel though…I do not know why…

 

[RWMorris]

When in Rome, recently, a friend of mine was not allowed to go into the Vatican or chapel(s), with the instructions that the man wear a suit and the woman a dress. Is this correct? Or, did they misunderstand the protocol and reverence aspects required?

My family and I visited in May 1989. They wouldn’t allow adults in wearing shorts, sleeveless attire, or barefoot. Other than that there were no restrictions (except flash photography wasn’t allowed in certain areas). That seemed to be true of most of the Cathedrals we visited in Europe.

 

[kage_ar]

Question - why is this in the Encyclopedia area?

 

[TylerM]

Jesus found Himself confronted with endless precepts (rules) put in place by the sanhedrin (priestly ruling body of His Church) but He allowed love to rule and He did such things as healing on the Sabbath and loving the sinful !!! However look where that got Him!
Lord have mercy on us.

It is hard to argue this is an invention of the later Church. St. Paul explicitly instructs women to cover their heads in prayer.

 

[Brian_Reeves]

But surely asking women to cover their heads in prayer was simply Paul bring them into line with men since praying with men in a group was a new experience for women. And what percentage of the people going into the vatican, do so to pray ?

 

[pprimeau1976]

I would bet that before society as a whole lost all common sense, that a dress code for the Vatican wasn’t even necessary. People wouldn’t even dream of going into their own parish church without proper attire.

 

[Christy_Beth]

The “black rain coats” lasted no time at all. Only because people were taking them home!!

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

The Vatican dress code is pretty standard, from what I hear, for most of the major churches in Italy, so when my friend’s family was vacationing in that country they packed strategically. The guys all wore the kind of pants that zip into shorts so that they could put on the legs only when necessary. The ladies all carried wrap-around skirts that they could throw on over their shorts to go into a church. Pretty smart traveling if you ask me.

 

[Jimsdun]

43things.com/entries/view/918532#comments

There is a whole discussion on this on this link.
I have never been there, but what I can tell is…that proper attire is required, but that means, no sleeveless clothing, no shorts, no short skirts, and proper shoes as well. Perhaps someone else can give more info. In fact, dresses were not recommended particularly because it is extremely breezy there. Maybe someone else can give you a clearer answer. One day, I hope to get there myself.

Formal dress is not required, but modesty is. That applies to both men and women. From what I recall when I was there, no tank tops or bare midriffs, and shorts are discouraged St. Peter’s has Swiss Guards at all the entrances, and they enforce the dress code. Inappropreate dress are not allowed inside. I wish parishes around here would do that.

 

[daughterofmary]

I was there back in November of this last year (2007). I wore a skirt about four or five inches below my knees and a knit sweater with arms to my elbows and some flats. I went there about five/six times when I was there, and the whole skirt below knees, shirt to elbows, and flats worked every time. No stops. Just went through the security line and it was easy-cheezy. I was actually surprised at how unaggressive it all was. Everything I read online totally over-did it. As long as you follow the sign posted above there are no issues - no matter what fabric your wearing (well except see-through)

My friend who went with me wore slacks, a crocheted type sweater thing that you could kind of see through because of the crochet, and a tank top under it. I believe she covered up with a small coat though and a scarf around her neck. She had no problems getting in either. She wore flats as well. So slacks are alright.

She wore slacks everyday while we were in Rome. I wore a skirt of the same length as mentioned above. We both had zero problems getting into the churches and shrines we visited.

The next day we went with a group to the Vatican and one of the men wore jeans. No issues for him getting in. He wore jeans most of the time - if not all the time - and had no issues. I think his wife may have worn jeans too. I was actually the only female in the group who wore a skirt and no one else had any problems getting in.

The whole suit and dress thing is very false. I saw women and young girls wearing jeans. I have also heard online that women should wear headcoverings. I don’t know where people are getting this, but I saw just one headcovering (in passing the Adoration chapel, and I believe the woman was American as well) while I was there. I wore one (because that is just what I do normally) and was starred at. I even had Italians ask me where I was from, and I had one woman take a picture of me.

P.S. I think it would be quite appropriate (not wrong) though and very respectful if a man chose to wear a suit and a woman a dress.