BEEKEEPERS AT THE VATICAN
The global beekeeping community in Rome
11–12 December 2026 · Vatican City & Rome
A special gathering of beekeepers from around the world for two extraordinary days of community, faith and recognition of the vital role of bees and beekeeping.
In December 2026, beekeepers from around the world will have the opportunity to come together in Rome for a special event at the Vatican, at the initiative of the Beekeepers’ Association of Slovenia and the European Beekeepers’ Association.
The programme will bring together the international beekeeping community for two memorable days, including a special audience with the Holy Father and a special Holy Mass for beekeepers.
The event is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of bees, beekeeping and the people who dedicate their lives to protecting pollinators, supporting biodiversity and producing one of nature’s most remarkable foods.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
📅 11–12 DECEMBER 2026
Two special days for the international beekeeping community.
📍 VATICAN CITY & ROME
The programme will take place in Vatican City and Rome.
🐝 FOR BEEKEEPERS WORLDWIDE
Beekeepers, organisations and representatives of the global beekeeping community are invited.
🤝 A GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, the European Beekeeping Association and Apimondia are working together around this special occasion.
TWO SPECIAL DAYS IN ROME
FRIDAY · 11 DECEMBER 2026
SPECIAL AUDIENCE WITH THE HOLY FATHER
A special audience with the Holy Father will take place in Vatican City.
Assembly: 11:00
Audience: 12:00
This will be a unique opportunity for beekeepers from around the world to gather together and represent the international beekeeping community at the Vatican.
Further information regarding access, meeting points and organisational arrangements will be communicated as soon as it becomes available.
SATURDAY · 12 DECEMBER 2026
SPECIAL HOLY MASS FOR BEEKEEPERS
A special Holy Mass for beekeepers will take place at Borgo Laudato Si’.
The Mass will provide another special opportunity for the international beekeeping community to come together in a place dedicated to care for our common home, nature and biodiversity.
Morning programme
The exact time, location details and access arrangements will be announced once confirmed.
THE GLOBAL BEEKEEPING COMMUNITY
BEEKEEPERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Beekeeping connects people across borders, cultures and generations.
This gathering in Rome will provide an opportunity for the international beekeeping community to meet, share a common experience and celebrate the essential role of bees and beekeepers.
Whether you are an individual beekeeper, a member of a local association, a representative of a national organisation or simply someone who cares deeply about bees and biodiversity, you are welcome to be part of this special occasion.
ONE COMMUNITY
MANY COUNTRIES
ONE SHARED PASSION
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY TO ROME
Participants are responsible for arranging and financing their own travel and accommodation.
Please note: participation in the event, travel, accommodation and any other related costs are self-funded.
Apimondia is not providing financial support for travel or accommodation.
Participants are therefore encouraged to make their travel and accommodation arrangements independently and well in advance.
If you are travelling as part of a national or regional organisation, please coordinate your arrangements directly with your organisation.
VISA INFORMATION
DO YOU NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO ITALY?
Participants travelling from countries that require a visa to enter Italy should make the necessary arrangements well in advance.
We recommend checking the visa requirements applicable to your nationality and contacting the relevant Italian embassy or consulate as early as possible.
Please allow sufficient time for the visa application process.
Visa requirements and procedures are the responsibility of each participant.
Further practical information will be added to this page as it becomes available.
[ CHECK ITALIAN VISA INFORMATION ]
ARE YOU PLANNING TO ATTEND?
HELP US ESTIMATE THE SIZE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BEEKEEPING COMMUNITY
We are receiving significant interest from beekeepers around the world.
To help us estimate how many people are planning to attend, we have prepared a short information form.
This is not a formal registration.
The information is being collected simply to help us understand the expected number of participants and ensure that important information about the event reaches the international beekeeping community.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM IF:
- you are planning to attend;
- your trip is confirmed; and
- you have arranged your travel and accommodation, and your visa where applicable.
If your trip is organised through a national or regional organisation and you have already provided your information to them, you do not need to complete the form again.
PLEASE WAIT TO COMPLETE THE FORM IF YOUR TRIP IS NOT YET CONFIRMED.
ORGANISING PARTNERS
WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BEEKEEPING COMMUNITY
This special occasion is being supported through cooperation between organisations representing the international and European beekeeping community.
SLOVENIAN BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
EUROPEAN BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATION
APIMONDIA
SEE YOU IN ROME
We look forward to welcoming beekeepers from around the world to Rome in December 2026.
Let us come together to celebrate bees, beekeeping, nature and the people who dedicate their lives to protecting them.
11–12 DECEMBER 2026
VATICAN CITY · ROME
UPDATES
THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED REGULARLY
As organisational details are confirmed, we will publish additional information here.
Please check this page regularly before travelling to Rome.
Last updated: 24. 9. 2026
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this a formal registration?
No. At this stage, the information form is intended only to estimate the number of people planning to attend.
Who can attend?
The event is intended for beekeepers and members of the wider international beekeeping community, including representatives of beekeeping organisations and associations.
Do I have to pay for my travel?
Yes. Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and related expenses.
Apimondia is not providing financial support for travel or accommodation.
Do I need accommodation in Rome?
Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
Do I need a visa?
This depends on your nationality and the applicable Italian entry requirements.
Participants are responsible for checking the requirements applicable to them and arranging any necessary visa.
Is the information form mandatory?
No. The form is an information-gathering tool to help estimate participation.
What if my trip is not yet confirmed?
Please wait until your travel arrangements are confirmed before completing the form.
This includes your travel, accommodation and, where applicable, visa arrangements.
What if I am attending through my national organisation?
If you have already provided your information to your national or regional organisation, you do not need to complete the form again.
Will there be additional information?
Yes.
Additional information about the programme, access arrangements, meeting points, passes and other practical details will be added to this page as soon as they are confirmed.
Please check this page regularly.
Have a question about Vatican 2026?
We are here to help. Send us your question and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Mail address: info@apimondia.org