This year, the Catholic Church welcomed a new Holy Father when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A. was elected as the 267^th Bishop of Rome! Here are a few interesting facts to help you get to know our new Pope:

1. He chose the Papal name of Leo XIV.

• The Holy Father said he chose the name “Leo” because he was greatly inspired by Pope Leo XIII. Leo XIII was Pope during the Industrial Revolution and is known for championing Catholic social teaching during a time when the world was changing on a rapid scale. Pope Leo XIV said the Church faces a similar time now, particularly with the development of artificial intelligence.

2. He is the first Pope from the United States of America.

• A native of Chicago, Illinois, Pope Leo XIV instantly made history as the first American pope. His childhood home is located in Dolton, Illinois which is on the south side of Chicago. According to his family, Pope Leo knew from a young age that he wanted to become a priest. He was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982.

3. He is a member of the Augustinian Order.

• Throughout his entire vocation, Pope Leo XIV has been deeply devoted to the Augustinian Order. He completed his secondary education at the Augustinian Minor Seminary in 1973 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University (founded by the Augustinians) in 1977. While obtaining his doctorate, his thesis focused on the role of the local prior in the Augustinian order. He served as Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001 – 2013.

4. He served as a missionary in Peru from 1985 – 1998.

• Pope Leo XIV has a great love for mission work and was very inspired by his time serving in Peru. When he first stepped out onto the balcony as Pope, he extended a special greeting to the Diocese of Chiclayo. While in Peru, Pope Leo XIV spent many years serving the poor, teaching seminarians, traveling to rural communities to bring them the Eucharist, and more. Pope Leo XIV is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru.

5. He is fluent in 5 languages.

• Like many of his predecessors, Pope Leo XIV has a great talent for mastering languages. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. He is also able to read Latin and German. This is a gift for the Holy Father as it allows him to be able to more easily connect with many Catholics from countries around the world by speaking to them in their native language.

Pope Leo’s election has certainly sparked a “pilgrimage boom,” with U.S. pilgrims. Since his election in May 2025, until now, the third week of October, 206 Tours has had 43 Pilgrimage groups attend the Papal Audience in Rome. There is great joy as these pilgrims have the opportunity to greet the new Holy Father, so proud of the fact that he is from their homeland.

If you would like to see Pope Leo XIV in person, you can attend a Papal Audience on a Pilgrimage to Rome with 206 Tours! Every Wednesday (pending the Papal schedule), pilgrims gather in St. Peter’s Square (or Audience Hall depending on the weather) to greet the Holy Father, listen to a brief teaching, and receive his blessing. It is a very special experience to see the Successor of St. Peter in person.

Travel to Rome and See Pope Leo XIV: www.206tours.com/pope

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From February 22 – March 22, 2026, pilgrims visiting the medieval city of Assisi, Italy will be able to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Pope Leo XIV has given permission for the bones of St. Francis, who died in the year 1226, to be publicly displayed in honor of the 800^th anniversary of this great Saint’s death. This is the first time in history that St. Francis’ relics will be publicly displayed. During this time, his tomb will be temporarily moved from its current crypt to the foot of the altar in the Lower Basilica.

206 Tours has several Pilgrimages that will be traveling to Assisi during this special event! View available departures by visiting: www.206tours.com/stfrancis

Due to the anticipated crowds, it will be a requirement for all pilgrims coming to venerate the relics to obtain free tickets. 206 Tours will ensure that these tickets are secured for all our pilgrims.

St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most beloved and famous Saints in Catholic history. Born in 1181 in the town of Assisi, Francis was the son of a wealthy merchant. His dream was to become a knight, and he was known throughout the town as a fun-loving, secular young man who loved spending time with his friends. However, when he set out for his first real battle, a voice from Heaven told him to turn back and go home. Upon returning to Assisi, Francis felt the call to “rebuild the Church” and embrace a life of total poverty. He founded the Franciscan Order with a group of followers who sought to live out the Gospel completely through love of poverty and service of the poor. St. Francis accomplished much for God throughout his life and was even given the grace of the stigmata – bearing the five wounds of Christ on his body. He also inspired St. Clare of Assisi, who followed his teachings closely, to found the Poor Clare nuns. After his death, St. Francis became the patron Saint of Italy, and his legacy continues to inspire millions of people.

His hometown of Assisi has remained largely unchanged since Francis was alive. The medieval town is well-known as a place of peace, beauty, and prayer. In addition to visiting the tombs of St. Francis and St. Clare in Assisi, pilgrims also can now pray at the tomb of the first millennial Saint: St. Carlo Acutis. Carlo had a great love for St. Francis and wished to be buried in Assisi. His wishes were honored after his death in 2006, and pilgrims can now pray at his tomb in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi.

The country of Italy has also decided to reinstate October 4^th as a national holiday in honor of St. Francis who is seen as a key figure in Italian history. It is a great grace for all Italian citizens to have this great Saint’s intercession.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be present in Assisi for this historic event! Book your Pilgrimage today: www.206tours.com/stfrancis

View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages

A Message from 206 Tours President & Founder, Milanka Lachman:

Today, October 1st, 206 Tours celebrates its 40th Anniversary!

When I first started 206 Tours, with no experience or resources, I never could have imagined that it would grow to be the force of faith it is today.

Since our founding, we have helped 460,000 pilgrims journey to 39 countries.

But to me, more important are the countless conversions, vocations, and transformations that have taken place.

Ever since our humble beginnings, when our tours only traveled to Medjugorje, I’ve surrendered to God and He has blessed us in more ways than I ever could have imagined.

There are so many people I want to thank for helping us reach this milestone: every staff member that has ever worked at 206 Tours, every pilgrim, priest, group leader, tour guide, driver, and every other person who has spread the word to evangelize or help 206 Tours become the Leader in Pilgrimages.

I am grateful and humbled by the trust you have placed in me. I have loved every moment and could not imagine doing anything else.

Each of our lives is a Pilgrimage. Where we come from does not determine whether or not we will become Saints. Our origins and accomplishments are secondary to how we embody love for God and others. Saints are not defined by their worldly success but rather by their capacity to reflect divine love, through sacrifice and service. St. Thérèse of Lisieux (whose feast day we celebrate today!), known for her “Little Way”, became a Saint through small acts of love, not grand achievements. As she once said:

“Our Lord does not so much look at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty, as at the love with which we do them.” – St. Thérèse, the Little Flower

Everything is God’s grace and must be done in love. That is how we become Saints. By Our Lord’s grace, 206 Tours will continue to grow for many more years to come.

With gratitude,

Milanka Lachman

President & Founder of 206 Tours

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View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages