Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.

Welcome to Rome, also known as “The Eternal City”. Upon landing at Rome airport, claim your baggage proceed to the arrival hall, where your tour guide and/or driver will greet you. Following check-in at the hotel, enjoy some free time to unpack, relax or explore Rome on your own. Your tour escort may suggest places to visit. Later this afternoon, your group will meet in the hotel lobby for a meet and greet with fellow pilgrims and your Priest. Together depart for Mass. Following Mass, you will attend a welcome dinner. After dinner you have to opportunity to join in a walk to St. Peter’s Square for the Rosary (optional).

After breakfast, we start the day with a visit the oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome and the home to the relics of Peter and Paul, the Basilica of St. John the Lateran. This Basilica is where Pope Francis became installed as Bishop of Rome. Next, you will cross the street to visit the Holy Stairs. These Holy Stairs are the very-steps leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus stepped on his way to trial during his Passion. In the fourth century, these stairs were brought to Rome by Saint Helena. People ascend on the Holy Stairs on their knees, in memory of Christ’s agonizing Passion. We conclude your day with a Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. St. Mary Major is the only Basilica that reigns from its original structure and is an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman Churches. This Basilica contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus. This afternoon, visit the We conclude your day with a Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. St. Mary Major is the only Basilica that reigns from its original structure and is an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman Churches. After free time for lunch, we will continue on a short journey down the Appian Way, the earliest road from Ancient Rome. This road leads to the Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, the Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the catacomb of St. Callixtus. The day concludes with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul, outside the walls. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century this Basilica is the burial place of Saint Paul the Apostle. Next, make your way to a local restaurant for dinner. Following dinner, you will have time to explore the streets of Rome or return to the hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, we start the day with the Papal Audience in St. Peters Square! The Audience is celebrated each
Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Following the Audience, we will take a walk in downtown Rome which will include visits to Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon. You will have the remainder of the day free to spend at your own leisure and then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning, you will enjoy an early breakfast before making your way to the largest Christendom Church, St. Peter’s Basilica. Build on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome, was martyred. Our Pope Francis became the first pontiff to visit the necropolis, where pagans and early Christians were buried since extensive archaeological excavations were conducted decades ago. It is here that you will view Michelangelo’s Pieta. This stunning marble sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ after His crucifixion, death, and removal off the cross before being placed in the tomb. Continue to proceed to the Vatican Museums. At the world-renowned museum, view the most impressive of edifices, galleries, and awe-inspiring relics. Additionally observe the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo’s Masterpiece, the restored mural of the Last Judgment. The final stop on your Vatican tour is the tomb of Saint John Paul II. The rest of the day is designed for those who would like to pray, reflect, and spend more time in Rome. Today you will have full discretion over how your time is spent in order to have the fullest spiritual experience possible. Dinner this evening, followed by a lecture with Matthew Leonard, and overnight.

After breakfast, you will transfer north through the Italian countryside of vineyards and villas. Throughout this bus ride, your tour escort will share very interesting information regarding the spiritual, historical, and cultural aspects of Italy. On the way, we will make a stop in Orvieto, where a Eucharistic Miracle is preserved in the Cathedral of Orvieto. In 1263, a Priest stopped to celebrate Mass at Saint Christina’s Church in Bolsena. Having doubts that the Eucharist was really the Body and Blood of Christ, the Priest was shocked when the host began to bleed right after the prayer of consecration. Unable to hide this fact, he interrupted the Mass and went to Orvieto where Pope Urban IV was in residence. The Pope ordered that the miraculous host and then linen altar cloth stained with blood be brought to Orvieto and placed on display, where is still rests today. The Cathedral also has some of the most magnificent frescoes to be found anywhere. The depicting visions of heaven and hell in the San Brizio Chapel rival those of the Sistine Chapel. After lunch, we will continue on to Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis. Upon arrival in Assisi, you will check-in to your Hotel and you can either relax or explore on your own. the enjoy dinner before retiring to your room.

As you visit the birthplace of St. Francis, you will become captivated as the atmosphere has not changed since St. Francis began his ministry in the early 13th-century. You will start a tour at the St. Francis Basilica, visit the tomb of St. Francis, and have the opportunity to view a series of frescoes depicting his life, along with a few of the saint’s possessions. Followed by a 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, including the birthplace of St. Francis, and end with a tour of the Church that honors St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters. St. Clare followed the teachings of St. Francis very closely by also living a life of poverty and humility. Enjoy some free time – you may take this time for additional prayer, shop in the many gift shops, or enjoy a nice lunch. After lunch, board the bus, which will take you outside of the walls of Assisi, to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Here is where St. Francis spent most of his 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 St. Francis died. 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 St. Francis retired to pray. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Following breakfast, you transfer to Florence where you begin your guided tour. The tour starts at the Church of the Holy Cross, the Santa Croce, where many nobles are buried, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Continue to walk by Piazza Signorina, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, and Republic Square to the Santa Maria del Fiore. This Cathedral is an iconic piece of architecture of the city of Florence. It was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the 13th century. Next, a visit to L’Accademia, the well-known art gallery. At this gallery, you will have the opportunity to view the work from artists such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pontormo and the ever famous sculpture by Michelangelo, David. This afternoon group will visit San Marco Museum and then return to Assisi for dinner and overnight.

Following breakfast, you will have full discretion over how your time is spent in order to have the fullest spiritual experience possible. This evening you will meet your fellow pilgrims and your Priest for dinner, followed by a lecture with Matthew Leonard, and overnight.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, your group will leave by motor coach and transfer to the Rome
Fiumicino airport for return flights home.

*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.