How to Greet the Pope

By eHow Culture & Society Editor

Rate: (18 Ratings)

The pope is an international leading figure who demands, by his office, respect and appropriately conservative dress and behavior.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Dresses
Women's Pants Or Dress Men's Suits
Airline Tickets

Step1

Dress appropriately, regardless of your views on dress codes and personal liberty.

Step2

Choose a dark suit for a private or semiprivate audience with the pope, if you're a man.

Step3

Select a dress that covers your shoulders and reaches near your knees, if you're a woman. Dress pants are acceptable these days, but were not in earlier times.

Step4

Addressing the pope by letter, one writes to His Holiness, the Pope or His Holiness Pope __________, Vatican City, 00817 Rome, Italy.

Step5

Use the following salutation: Your Holiness or Most Holy Father.

Step6

Say "Your Holiness" or "Most Holy Father" when speaking directly to the pontiff, no matter what your religious affiliation.

Step7

Listen to the pope's assistants for instructions on where to stand in the audience room.

Step8

Make a low bow, or go down on one knee, when being presented to the pontiff. Once again, disregard your religious affiliation.

Step9

Take the pope's right hand and kiss his ring if you're a Catholic.

Step10

Take and shake the pope's right hand if you're not a Catholic.

Tips & Warnings

Prepare something to say to the pontiff if you receive a rare private or semiprivate audience. Keep in mind that the pope is accustomed to these small meetings and is usually well-prepared.
Only heads of state need worry about a gift, which is usually something official.
In semiprivate or private audiences, the pope usually offers his visitors a small gift of a religious nature; for example, a rosary or medallion.
Although not particularly formal, any visit with the pope is strictly organized and accompanied by high security.
No gloves, please.

Comments

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 6/30/2006 When greeting the Supreme Pontiff, one should kneel on the left knee while kissing the Pope's ring. Repeat reverential gesture's when leaving his presence. Women should wear veils when meeting the Pope.

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 4/3/2006 If someone were visiting the President of the United States from another country, say Germany or Japan, the American people would definitely expect that person to act accordingly, dress accordingly, shake hands or whatever it is you do when you visit our President. The Pope is just another guy, that's true, but when a respectable person visits somewhere else they treat whoever greets them with the dignity and respect appropriate to that culture. If you were visiting the Chief of the Hookahs tribe in East Zimbabwe you wouldn't just walk up to him and shake his hand, I hope, it just may get chopped off if you insulted him and it is their custom to do so. This is an extreme example, but the meaning is the same. When someone comes to your house, do you have expectations about how you are to be treated?

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 1/9/2008 As bowing and other things recommended here are signs of submission to authority, I would say that they are not necessarily appropriate behavior for non-Catholics. As someone pointed out with regard to Americans and the Queen, those who do not acknowledge the superiority of the monarchy are not (cannot be) required to bow. I would suggest that the same applies to the Pope - respect, yes, he is a head of state among other things, but submission, no.
So all this "regardless of your religious affiliation" stuff should be taken cum granum salis.

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 1/9/2008 If you are not Catholic, then the Pope is not the mouthpiece of God. And if you are not Christian, chances are you don't view him as deserving any more or less respect than anyone else. Religious affiliation has everything to do with how you address the Pope.

View All