Welcome to Rome, “The Eternal City”. Upon arrival at Rome airport, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the Arrivals Hall, where you will be greeted by a tour escort and/or driver. You will make your way to the bus and transfer to your hotel. Following check-in, you will have free time to unpack and relax, or explore Rome on your own. Your tour escort may suggest places to visit. Later in the afternoon, your group will meet in the hotel lobby for a “Meet and Greet” with your fellow pilgrims and depart for Mass. Following Mass, you will attend a welcome dinner. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to walk to St. Peter’s Square as a group, for the Rosary.

Holy Mass will be celebrated by at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. This Basilica contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus. Next, visit the oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome, the Archbasilica of St. John the Lateran, the cathedral church and seat of the Bishop of Rome. Cross the street to the very steps that lead up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem which Jesus climbed on His way to trial during his Passion. In the afternoon, you will visit the Catacombs, and another of the four major Basilicas of Rome, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. Dinner and overnight.

Today we tour St. Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter the Apostle was martyred. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to view Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture, pray at the tombs of Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II. Next you will visit the Vatican Museum, where you can see the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, and Sistine Chapel. After lunch, visit St. Peter’s in Chains and end the day in Trastevere, at the Basilica of St. Cecilia. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Chris will give a talk there will be plenty of time for personal explorations of this incredible city, for prayer and reflections, or to simply relax. Dinner and overnight

Following breakfast, travel through the countryside to the town of Orvieto. Visit the Cathedral which contains some of the most magnificent frescoes in the world. We will celebrate holy Mass here. After lunch, continue to Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis and St. Clare. Upon arriving check-in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight. Retire to your room for a restful night’s sleep.

Wake up in Assisi, home of St. Francis and St. Clare. You’ll be captivated how the atmosphere has not changed much since St. Francis first began his ministry, in the early 13th-century. Visit to the Santuario Della Spogliazione where Blessed Carlo Acutis’ tomb is placed. Carlo is the first millennial to be declared Blessed who loved the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. From there, you will continue on a walking tour through this picturesque town, to the Church that honors St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters. This Saint followed the teachings of St. Francis very closely by also living a life of poverty and humility. Enjoy some free time on your own – you may take this time for additional prayer, shop or relax. Dinner and overnight.

Today we dedicated to St. Francis, as we follow in his footsteps. You will start your tour at the St. Francis Basilica, where we visit his tomb and view a series of frescoes depicting his life and few of the saint’s possessions. After lunch, you will board the bus, which will take you outside of the walls of Assisi, to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This is where St. Francis spent most of life. This Basilica is made up of two structures, both of which you will visit. The first structure, is the “Porziuncola”, which is where St. Francis founded his order of the Friar Minor (Franciscans). The second, is the “Capella del Transito”, which is the place of St. Francis’ death. During your time here, you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the Saint retired to pray. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight.

Breakfast, followed by a scenic drive to the Tuscan city of Siena. This medieval city is the birthplace of St. Catherine “Doctor of the Church”, and the Apostle of Italy, St. Bernardine. Visit the Basilica of St. Catherine (which is also known as the Basilica of St. Domenico). St. Catherine passed a large part of her life inside the walls of this Basilica. It is here you will also view the incorrupt head of St. Catherine. After, visit the Shrine of St. Catherine, which occupies the site of her family home. Enjoy your walking tour through the Siena including a visit to its Cathedral (Duomo di Siena). Conclude at one of Italy’s finest squares, the Piazza Del Campo, where you will be given free time to spend at your own leisure. Depart Siena for your last overnight in Rome, or stay in Siena if you are continuing on to the post tour.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, you will be transferred to the Rome Fiumicino airport for return flights home.

Or

Post Optional – 4 night Extension
you’ll have an opportunity to continue your journey to Florence, Padua and Venice

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.