Road closures, parking restrictions, free shuttle services and regulated access to the historic centre. San Marino is preparing for the visit of Pope Leo XIV, scheduled for Saturday, August 22, with a series of traffic changes set out in Ordinance No. 213/2026.
The logistical details have been provided by the Secretariat of State for Foreign Affairs, which has summarised the main measures put in place to ensure the visit runs smoothly and to manage the arrival of citizens and faithful.
“The Ordinance regulates traffic changes along the route to be followed by the Holy Father, from the Torraccia Airfield, through the Castles of Domagnano and Borgo Maggiore, to the Historic Centre of San Marino,” the Secretariat of State explains in its statement.
After landing at the Torraccia Airfield, the Pontiff will make his way to the historic centre passing through Domagnano and Borgo Maggiore. In the final stretch of the journey, the route will run through Piazzale lo Stradone, Viale Antonio Onofri and Via Donna Felicissima, before reaching Piazzetta Garibaldi. From there, Pope Leo XIV will continue on to Palazzo Pubblico and the Basilica del Santo.
One of the main changes concerns parking in the historic centre, which will be closed off for the duration of the visit. Two exceptions have, however, been made.
“Please be advised that, under the traffic arrangements, parking areas in the Historic Centre will be closed, with the exception of car parks No. 9 and No. 10, which will remain available,” the Secretariat specifies.
Free shuttle services will also be laid on to make it easier to reach the historic centre, aimed in particular at citizens and worshippers travelling in from the Republic’s various Castles.
Specific rules have also been established for access to the areas involved in the institutional and religious events. In some zones, a pass issued specifically for the occasion will be required.
“Access to the areas of Piazza della Libertà, Contrada del Pianello, Piazzale Domus Plebis and Via Eugippo will be granted exclusively to holders of the designated Pass,” the Secretariat of State for Foreign Affairs points out.
The situation along the route travelled by the Pontiff will be different, however. From the Torraccia Airfield to the historic centre, no pass or booking will be required, meaning members of the public will be free to watch the Holy Father pass by.
“Along the rest of the Holy Father’s route, from the Torraccia Airfield to the Historic Centre of San Marino, access will instead be unrestricted and no booking or Pass will be required. Citizens and visitors will therefore be able to watch the Holy Father pass along the route,” the statement adds.
Lastly, the Secretariat invites citizens and visitors to consult Ordinance No. 213/2026 in full to find out all the details of the traffic changes and the access arrangements for the various areas involved.
These measures will therefore be in force throughout the day of August 22, when the arrival of Pope Leo XIV will bring changes to normal traffic flow along the route between Torraccia and the historic centre of San Marino, while in the central areas hosting official events, access will be reserved for pass holders.
