Itinerary
- Day 1
Pilgrimage Overview
Travel day to Rome kicks off your pilgrimage experience during the Holy Year 2025. You'll head out today and arrive in the city where countless pilgrims have journeyed before you, ready to explore the religious sites and participate in the Jubilee tradition that defines this special year.
- Day 2
Arrival in Rome
After arriving in Rome, settle into your accommodations and meet the other travelers on this pilgrimage. This evening you'll gather for a welcome dinner at the hotel featuring regional Italian dishes and wine, giving you a chance to get to know your group before the spiritual work begins.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at hotel featuring regional delicacies and Italian wine)
Landmarks/POIs Rome - Day 3
Seven Jubilee Churches Pilgrimage
Start the pilgrimage of the Seven Jubilee Churches by visiting the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome's cathedral and former papal residence. You'll attend Mass and see the Scala Sancta, the Holy Stairs where Christ walked before Pontius Pilate. Later in the afternoon, head to the Basilica of the Holy Cross which contains relics from Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Basilica of St. John Lateran
- Celebrate Mass at Basilica of St. John Lateran
- Visit Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs)
- Visit Basilica of the Holy Cross
Optional Activities
- Half-board dinner supplement at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Basilica of St. John Lateran Scala Sancta Basilica of the Holy Cross - Day 4
Early Christian Sites and Catacombs
Head out early to the Abbey of Tre Fontane, located on what's believed to be the site of Paul's martyrdom. From there you'll continue to St. Sebastian Outside the Walls to celebrate Mass and walk through the catacombs beneath the basilica where early Christians and martyrs were buried. Spend the afternoon at St. Paul Outside the Walls to visit the Apostle's tomb.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Abbey of Tre Fontane
- Celebrate Mass at St. Sebastian Outside the Walls
- Explore catacombs beneath St. Sebastian Outside the Walls
- Visit St. Paul Outside the Walls
Landmarks/POIs Abbey of Tre Fontane St. Sebastian Outside the Walls St. Paul Outside the Walls - Day 5
Papal Blessing and Shrine Visits
Join the English-language neighborhood Mass at the Shrine of the Divine Mercy this morning, then walk over to St. Peter's Square to wait for the Papal Blessing. When the Pope is in residence on Sundays, he offers a brief reflection and recites the Angelus prayer from his window. The afternoon takes you to the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love, which Saint John Paul II added to the Seven Pilgrim Churches.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Join English-language Mass at Shrine of the Divine Mercy
- Attend Papal Blessing at St. Peter's Square
- Visit Shrine of our Lady of Divine Love
Landmarks/POIs Shrine of the Divine Mercy St. Peter's Square Shrine of our Lady of Divine Love - Day 6
Assisi Day Trip
Leave early in the morning heading north to Assisi, where St. Francis lived his life. You'll visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica and the Chapel of the Porziuncola on the founding site of the Franciscan Order. After grabbing lunch, a local expert leads you through the 13th-century basilica of St. Francis to see his possessions and the frescoes inside. You'll celebrate Mass before heading back to Rome for a late dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Late dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Travel to Assisi
- Visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica
- Visit Chapel of the Porziuncola
- Guided tour of 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis
- View St. Francis possessions and frescoes
- Celebrate Mass at Basilica of St. Francis
- Return to Rome
Landmarks/POIs St. Mary of the Angels Basilica Chapel of the Porziuncola Basilica of St. Francis - Day 7
Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica
Spend this morning in the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel where popes are elected and where Michelangelo's Last Judgment covers the ceiling. Then move to St. Peter's Basilica to see La Pieta and walk beneath the tall marble columns. The afternoon brings you to the Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major where you'll celebrate Mass, leaving the evening free to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Vatican Museums
- Visit Sistine Chapel
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica
- View La Pietà
- Visit Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major
- Celebrate Mass at St. Mary Major
Landmarks/POIs Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel St. Peter's Basilica Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major - Day 8
Papal Audience and Farewell
Attend the weekly Papal audience at Vatican City this morning to receive a blessing from His Holiness the Pope. Your afternoon is open for personal exploration, and you have the option to cross the Holy Door of St. Peter's if you haven't yet sought jubilar absolution. This evening you'll join everyone for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant to mark the end of your pilgrimage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Attend weekly Papal audience at Vatican City
Optional Activities
- Cross Holy Door of St. Peter's to seek jubilar absolution
Landmarks/POIs Vatican City Holy Door of St. Peter's - Day 9
Departure
Your pilgrimage through Rome and Assisi comes to an end today. You'll head home as a Pilgrim of Hope, carrying back the experiences and renewed faith from your journey to these sacred places.
