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Christmas in Italy Pilgrimage

December 21-28, 2026

ITALY

DATES

December 21-28, 2026

PLACE

ITALY

“Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy!” (Luke 2:10)
Join us for an extraordinary journey to Rome and Florence at Christmas for a peaceful, joyful time in the places where St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. John Paul II walked and bore witness to the Gospel!
Join us for an extraordinary journey to Rome and Florence at Christmas for a peaceful, joyful time in the places where St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. John Paul II walked and bore witness to the Gospel!
Christmas is a wonderful time to be in Rome. The entire city seems to light up with a special joy, and there is even more peace than usual. Little red and white lights flicker on kiosks set up in the lovely Piazza Navona, and the Vatican erects a larger-than-life manger scene in St. Peter’s Square, right next to the ancient obelisk at its center. Roman grandparents stroll with their grandchildren through the piazzas and streets of Rome to view nativity scenes and small displays of local handcrafted toys and other gifts. We will join them. People throughout Rome tend to be more courteous to one another “in the spirit of the season,” and the entire city can actually seem to become a small village. We, too, will become “Roman villagers” at Christmas.
Throughout Italy, every church constructs a presepio (or presepe) — a Nativity tableau which may even include “living” crèche scenes with real people and animals — ranging from charmingly simple to stunningly elaborate. Some include hills, trees, lakes, rivers, angels suspended by wires, the Christmas star and reproductions of an entire village or the countryside of Bethlehem. Always, the straw-filled manger remains empty until the night of Natale — the birth of Christ.
Throughout Italy, every church constructs a presepio (or presepe) — a Nativity tableau which may even include “living” crèche scenes with real people and animals — ranging from charmingly simple to stunningly elaborate. Some include hills, trees, lakes, rivers, angels suspended by wires, the Christmas star and reproductions of an entire village or the countryside of Bethlehem. Always, the straw-filled manger remains empty until the night of Natale — the birth of Christ.
Added to all this is the irreplaceable wealth of experience and insight of your pilgrimage hosts, Deborah Tomlinson, the president of Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages, and Dr. Robert Moynihan, the founder and editor of Inside the Vatican magazine, and the unique beauty and grace each of your fellow pilgrims will bring to your journey. It may well be your most unforgettable Christmas!
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Pilgrimage Highlights

  • Attend Christmas Eve Mass with Pope Leo
  • Visit all the major Basilicas of Rome: Basilica of St. Peter, Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and Basilica of St. Mary Major
  • Visit the only two Marian apparition sites in Rome
  • Visit the only Eucharistic Miracle in Rome
  • Walk through Baroque Rome with the Christmas lights and Christmas markets along the way
  • Take a day trip to Florence and tour the iconic Churches and sites with one of Florence’s best guides
  • Venerate the holy icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
  • Tour the Scavi beneath St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Attend the Angelus and the Urbi et Orbi Christmas Blessing with Pope Leo
  • Attend daily Mass, including Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and at the iconic Duomo (Cathedral) of Florence
  • Visit the “first” Vatican, where St. Peter himself lived for seven years
  • Meet friends of Inside the Vatican magazine during our days together on pilgrimage
  • Plus, many unexpected stops and encounters along the way

Tour Details & Guidelines

Air Travel:

This pilgrimage is offered as a Land Only Package. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own air travel for the Christmas in Italy 2026 Pilgrimage. After booking, you will receive the name and contact information of our recommended travel agent.

Arrival Information:
  • Airport: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
  • Date: Monday, December 21, 2026 (Day 1 of the pilgrimage)
  • Flight Arrival Time: Before 10:00 AM (Local Time). This arrival time allows approximately one hour to pass through passport control and retrieve baggage before the group transfer.
  • Transfer: Group transfer from the airport to your accommodations in Vatican City

It is strongly recommended that participants consider arriving on Sunday, December 20, 2026, one day before Day 1, Monday, December 21, 2026, of the pilgrimage. Arriving early allows time to rest and offers greater flexibility in selecting flight options.

For those who choose to arrive before Day 1, we have selected a designated early-arrival hotel. Any extra nights are the responsibility of the participant. On Day 1, the group transfer will pick up participants from this designated hotel, along with the group pick-up at the airport.

Departure Information:
  • Airport: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
  • Date: Monday, December 28, 2026 (Day 8 of the pilgrimage)
  • Flight Departure Time: After 10:00 AM (Local Time)
  • Transfer:  Group transfer from Vatican City to the airport departs at 7:00 a.m., coinciding with the opening of the Vatican gates. This schedule accommodates flights departing at 10:00 a.m. or later. If you choose to extend your stay in Rome, you must vacate your accommodations inside the Vatican by 10:00 a.m. While we will arrange your transportation, participants are responsible for covering the cost in this instance.

Recommended Travel Agency: For booking flights, we recommend using an experienced travel agency. They will handle your airline reservations and forward the details to our office, ensuring a seamless process. You will receive the contact information for Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages’ recommended seasoned travel agent in your Welcome Letter, which is sent immediately after you register for the pilgrimage.