As we journey along the spiritual pathways of Italy—sometimes over ancient cobblestones in the heart of the city, other times along highways that wind through the breathtaking countryside—we will encounter unique places and people that serve as living expressions of our 2,000-year-old faith.
From the ancient rooms where St. Peter lived for seven years to the bishop’s residence in Assisi; from venerating the Eucharistic Miracle in Orvieto to celebrating the Feast of St. Francis in the town where he lived; from walking through the Holy Doors in Rome to tracing the footsteps of the saints—we will encounter some of the “living stones” of our Church. In doing so, we will embrace our role as pilgrims of Hope during this Jubilee year of 2025.
Because of our work with Inside the Vatican magazine for over 33 years, we have cultivated deep and meaningful relationships that grant us extraordinary access to places and individuals typically beyond the reach of the ordinary traveler. These relationships open doors to rare opportunities, such as private chapels, historic residences, monasteries, and personal encounters with key figures in the Church, allowing pilgrims to experience the spiritual and cultural richness of our faith in a profoundly unique and personal way.
Here are just a few of the remarkable experiences included in this unrepeatable pilgrimage:
- Stay inside Vatican City during the Jubilee Year of Hope.
- Walk through the Holy Doors at the four papal basilicas of Rome.
- Venerate the column on which St. Paul was beheaded, made available through a close relationship with the gatekeeper; microscopic analysis has even confirmed traces of blood on the column.
- Access the Church of St. Pudenziana, built over the home of St. Pudens, who is mentioned in the Bible by St. Paul. This home, where St. Peter lived for seven years and served as the first papal residence, includes first-century structures rarely open to the public, thanks to a trusted gatekeeper.
- Celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi in the town where he lived.
- Meet the bishop of Assisi, if available.
- Visit the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the young Italian teenager known for cataloging the world’s Eucharistic miracles.
Exclusive Accommodations: Staying Inside Vatican City
What sets this pilgrimage apart from all others is the unique and exclusive accommodations within Vatican City itself. A rare privilege, this stay places you at the heart of the Church with unparalleled access to St. Peter’s Basilica. During the Jubilee Year, this exclusive access offers a profound opportunity for reflection and spiritual renewal near the tomb of Peter, making it an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience for pilgrims seeking a deeper connection to their faith.
Pilgrimage Overview
Day 1: Rome
- Arrive in Rome and travel to Vatican City for lunch and Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
Day 2: Rome
- Attend Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and pray the Angelus with Pope Francis
- Visit Trastevere, one of Rome’s most enchanting neighborhoods
Day 3: Rome
- Attend Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
- Tour of the catacombs of St Callistus
- Visit St. Paul’s-Outside-the-Walls and Tre Fontane where Paul was martyr
- Visit the Grotto of Our Lady of Revelations, a marian apparition where the miracle of the sun occurred
Day 4: Rome
- Attend Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
- Travel to the Churches of Sts. Prassedes and Pudentiana
- Visit two of the patriarchal basilicas in Rome: St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran.
- Visit the Holy Stairs near the Basilica of St. John Lateran
- Venerate sacred relics of Jesus’ Passion at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (English: Holy Cross in Jerusalem)
Day 5: Rome
- Attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square
- Walk with Dr. Robert Moynihan through Rome as he explains the centuries of history as you walk pass the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona
- Visit the church where Mary appeared in the 1800s
Day 6: Orvieto – Assisi
- Pay homage to one of the most significant Eucharistic miracles in the Catholic Church: the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena, which is preserved in the Cathedral of Orvieto.
- Tour Our Lady of the Angels, the church built over the Porziuncola, which was built by St. Francis
Day 7: Assisi
- Attend a private Mass at the Tomb of St. Francis and tour St. Francis Basilica
- Visit the tomb of the first millennial saint, St. Carlo Acutis (canonized in April 2025)
- Partake in a walking tour through the historic center of Assisi
- Visit the house of the Bishop of Assisi
Day 8: Assisi
- Enjoy St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day celebrations in Assisi
- Attend vespers at St. Clare Basilica
Day 9: Assisi
- Attend Mass at St. Francis Basilica
- Visit the Sanctuary of San Damian and the ancient Franciscan site, the Sanctuary of Eremo delle Carceri
Day 10: Florence
- Day trip to Florence
- Visit many places on our walking tour of Florence: the Baptistery with its elaborate bronze doors by Ghiberti; the Church of the Holy Cross where many nobles are buried, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli and Santa Maria del Fiore, the famous 13th century cathedral (Duomo) of Florence
- Enjoy a guided walking tour with views of Florence the Piazza Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Ponte Vecchio, and Republic Square.
- Eat Lunch in the city center and and enjoy free time to shop and explore the city on your own
Day 11: Depart
