From 6 May the Vatican Museums open their doors every Friday evening from 19.00-23.00, with last admission at 21.30. Running until 28 October, excluding the month of August, the popular initiative is now in its third consecutive year and attracts an audience of mainly Roman residents as opposed to tourists. Last year the museums welcomed more than 30,000 visitors over the course of its Friday night openings.

On the occasion of the beatification of the Pope John Paul II on 1 May, the Vatican Museums will be open on 2 May from 19.00-24.00, last admission at 22.00. The Vatican is offering a specially reduced ticket price of