Saints Peter and Paul in Vatican City
Saints Peter and Paul is observed on June 29, the fixed date shown for this public holiday in Vatican City. The solemnity honours two apostles venerated as patrons of Rome and is marked at the Vatican with liturgical celebrations centred on St Peter’s Basilica.[1][3]
Meaning and connection to Rome
The feast brings Peter and Paul together in one celebration. In a papal homily for the solemnity, the Holy See described them as patrons of Rome and recalled their shared witness to the faith and martyrdom. Their importance to Rome gives the day a distinct local meaning in the city that includes Vatican City.[1]
The feast also has a place in Catholic observance beyond Rome. The Code of Canon Law lists Saints Peter and Paul among the holy days of obligation, when Catholics are obliged to participate in Mass. That is a church requirement; it does not by itself specify which workers receive a civil day off.[2]
Liturgical observance
The Vatican’s observance centres on Mass in St Peter’s Basilica. Holy See records from successive celebrations describe the pope presiding at the Eucharistic celebration with cardinals, bishops and metropolitan archbishops, alongside the blessing or imposition of pallia.[1][3]
A pallium is a white wool band worn by metropolitan archbishops. The Holy See describes it as a sign connected with their pastoral responsibility and communion with the Bishop of Rome. The ceremony links the feast’s focus on Peter with the wider Catholic Church.[1][3]
Public holiday and practical planning
Vatican City’s holiday calendar classifies June 29 as a public holiday, and the listed date has no substitute day. Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go.[2][4]
The Vatican Museums list June 29 among their annual closure dates. Their schedule also says the usual last-Sunday opening does not apply when that Sunday falls on the feast. Check the official museum schedule before planning a visit; check opening hours with banks and shops, and transport arrangements with providers.[4]
A visitor’s view
The main public religious observances take place at St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square, while the museums are closed. The Holy See has documented papal Mass and Angelus observances there, with the feast recalling the bond between the Church in Rome and churches around the world.[1][5]
Check the basilica’s published event information and the Vatican Museums’ opening schedule close to your visit.[4][5]
Frequently asked questions
When is Saints Peter and Paul observed in Vatican City?
It is observed each year on June 29, the date listed for the solemnity in the Vatican Museums’ closure schedule.[4]
Is it a public holiday and a day off?
Saints Peter and Paul is a public holiday in Vatican City. Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go.[4]
Are the Vatican Museums open on June 29?
No. The Vatican Museums list June 29 as a closure date. Their normal last-Sunday opening is also excluded when it coincides with the feast.[4]
Sources and references
Sources used for Saints Peter and Paul in Vatican City:
- Eucharistic Celebration on the Solemnity of the Saints Apostles Peter and Paul with the Blessing and Imposition of the Pallia, 29.06.2025- Holy See Press Office
- Code of Canon Law - Book IV - Function of the Church (Cann. 1244-1253)- The Holy See
- Blessing of the Pallia and Eucharistic Celebration on the Solemnity of the Saints Apostles Peter and Paul, 29.06.2024- Holy See Press Office
- Days & Hours of closure- Vatican Museums
- Angelus, 29 June 2026, Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul- The Holy See Press Office