Tip: Reserve your papal tickets by fax!

"Using the latest in 1980s technology!"

No, seriously, it's good to know this is offered:

Visitors to the Vatican can now make reservations for papal audiences by fax.

A service provided by the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household enables pilgrims to make reservations weeks or days before their trip to Rome for activities such as Wednesday audiences or Masses celebrated by the Pontiff at St. Peter's. The tickets are free.

By downloading and faxing a document available on the Web page, pilgrims can make the reservations. The tickets can be retrieved at the ticket office located just inside the Bronze Door (by the right colonnade of St. Peter’s Square). [Zenit]

The previous methods for getting a papal event ticket included a) sending a snail mail to your diocese, or b) asking in person at the diocese or (my personal favorite) c) begging for extra/spare tickets outside the gates.