Day 1: Depart the US
Board your flight to begin your trip to Rome.

Day 2: Rome
Welcome to Rome, also known as “The Eternal City”. Upon arrival, collect your luggage & continue to the Arrivals Hall, where you’ll be greeted by your Italian Tour Manager, transfer to your hotel & have free time to unpack, relax or explore Rome on your own. Later in the evening, join your group for a welcome dinner at your hotel in Rome.

Day 3: Rome & the Vatican
After breakfast, begin the Pilgrimage of Hope by visiting the Vatican Museums, overflowing with art treasures. Admire the Sistine Chapel – where the Pope’s elected – world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling & the Last Judgment.

Then, visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world, built over the tomb of St. Peter. This is where Peter preached, died & is buried near 148 of his papal successors. Meander along towering marble columns & stand in awe before La Pietà, Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture. In the afternoon, explore the Baroque Rome with its famous fountains & squares, including: the Trevi Fountain, where you toss a coin or two in the world’s wishing well to ensure your return to Rome; the Pantheon, the height of its dome equal to the diameter of the circular interior; & Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful piazzas in Rome, where we find Bernini’s “Fountain of the Four Rivers.” Celebrate an evening Mass in one of the churches.

Day 4: Rome & Papal Audience
Enjoy breakfast & return to St. Peter’s Square for an Audience with the Pope (on Wednesdays, if the Pope is in residence). Time will be available to explore & shop in the Vatican area or you may cross the Holy Door of St. Peter’s for jubilar absolution if you have not done so.

Later, continue down the Appian Way, one of the earliest roads built in Ancient Rome to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The present structure stands over the place where Constantine built the first church over St. Paul’s grave. Pause in reverence at the tomb of the Apostle. Continue the Pilgrim Journey & visit San Sebastian Outside the Walls, built over the Catacombs of San Sebastian.

Then, follow the steps down to the catacombs for a touching visit to the tombs of early Christians, Martyrs & Saints. Celebrate Mass in a nearby church.

Day 5: Rome
After breakfast, continue your pilgrimage of the Seven Jubilee Churches with a visit to Rome’s Cathedral: Basilica of St. John Lateran – one of the four major Roman basilicas. It was the former residence of the popes & the church where Pope Francis was installed as Bishop of Rome. Continue to the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) which tradition believes are the steps that Christ climbed when he appeared before Pontius Pilate. Ascending these stairs on your knees, in memory of Christ’s agonizing passion!

Enter the Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. This is the only Basilica that has kept its original structure & 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 Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. St. Helena brought passion relics here & the floor was covered with soil from Jerusalem. Relics here include the index finger of Thomas that touched the wounds of Christ after His resurrection & a piece of the Good Thief’s Cross.

The Pilgrim Day finishes at the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, built over the shrine of St. Lawrence, one of the earliest martyrs of the Catholic Church. Celebrate Mass in one of the churches before returning to the hotel.

Day 6: Return to the US
Your spiritual journey to Rome comes to a close. Return home with renewed faith as a Pilgrim of Hope. This morning, check out & transfer to Rome Airport for your return flight or extend your stay in Italy.