Easter in Rome 2027: Holy Week, Way of the Cross and Mass at the Vatican

Updated on October 1, 2026

In 2027, Easter falls on Sunday 28 March: Holy Week opens with Palm Sunday on 21 March and ends with Pasquetta, Easter Monday, on 29 March. The Pope leads the main celebrations at the Vatican, the Good Friday Way of the Cross takes place at the [Colosseum](/fr/attractions/colisee-rome), and the Easter Mass is followed at noon by the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of [St Peter's Basilica](/fr/attractions/basilique-saint-pierre-rome). All papal celebrations are free. Seats require a ticket, also free, issued only by the Prefecture of the Papal Household. The exact 2027 programme is published a few weeks ahead by the Office of Papal Liturgical Celebrations; the times below are those of Holy Week 2026, which follow a stable pattern.

Highlights

Palm Sunday Mass

On 21 March 2027, the Pope blesses olive and palm branches in St Peter's Square before Mass. In 2026, the celebration began at 10:00. The procession crosses the square: it is one of the most striking ceremonies of the year.

Holy Thursday

In the morning, the Pope celebrates the Chrism Mass in St Peter's (9:30 in 2026). In the evening, the Mass of the Lord's Supper, with the washing of the feet, moves from year to year; in 2026, Leo XIV celebrated it at 17:30 in the [Basilica of St John Lateran](/fr/attractions/basilique-saint-jean-de-latran).

The Way of the Cross at the Colosseum

On Good Friday (26 March 2027), the Pope leads the torchlit Via Crucis around the Colosseum, then gives the apostolic blessing. In 2026, it began at 21:15, and Leo XIV carried the cross himself at all fourteen stations. No ticket is needed: crowds gather on the slopes around the monument. Earlier, at 17:00, the Pope celebrates the Passion of the Lord in St Peter's Basilica.

The Easter Vigil

On Saturday evening (27 March 2027), the vigil begins in a darkened St Peter's Basilica with the blessing of the new fire; in 2026, it started at 21:00. Entry is by ticket.

Easter Mass and the Urbi et Orbi blessing

On Sunday 28 March 2027, Mass is celebrated outdoors in St Peter's Square, decorated with flowers for the occasion (10:15 in 2026). At noon, the Pope appears at the central loggia of the basilica for the Easter message and the Urbi et Orbi blessing, "to the city and to the world".

Pasquetta

Easter Monday, 29 March 2027, is a public holiday in Italy. Romans spend it picnicking in the parks or outside the city. The Vatican Museums are closed that day (as on 6 April 2026).

Infos pratiques

Tips

Request your free tickets from the Prefecture of the Papal Household through its online booking portal (linked from the "Prenotazione Celebrazioni e Udienze" page of the Vatican website) as early as possible: places are limited. Tickets are then collected from the Swiss Guards at the Portone di Bronzo (Bronze Door), under the right-hand colonnade of St Peter's Square, on the days and at the times given in the confirmation. Never buy a ticket from a reseller: the Vatican states that entry to papal ceremonies is always free. Expect long security checks and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees to enter the basilica. Watch out for the switch to summer time on the night of 27 to 28 March 2027: clocks go forward one hour on Easter morning. The free last Sunday of the month at the Vatican Museums falls on Easter Day in March 2027: the museums will not offer free entry that day. Information and prices as observed in October 2026.

How to get there

St Peter's Square, 00120 Vatican City. Metro A, Ottaviano station, then a 10-minute walk; buses 40 and 64 from Termini station. For the Colosseum: metro B, Colosseo station, or metro C, Colosseo-Fori Imperiali station, opened in December 2025 and linked to line B.