Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight. Meals will be served on board.

Welcome to Rome, also known as “The Eternal City.” Upon landing at Rome airport, claim your baggage and proceed to the Arrivals 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 and you will depart together for Mass. Following Mass, you will attend a welcome dinner. After dinner you will have to opportunity to join in a walk to St. Peter’s Square for the Rosary (optional).

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 pray at the tomb of St. John Paul II and view Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture. Next you will visit the Vatican Museum, where you can see the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, and Sistine Chapel. Experience the Scavi Tour of St. Peter’s Basilica (pending confirmation). After lunch, continue down the Appian Way, one of the earliest roads built in ancient Rome to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Catacombs. Visiting at least one of the four Major Papal Basilicas the Jubilee Indulgence is granted by the Holy Father and there might be an opportunity to see and go through the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

This morning we attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square or at the Audience Hall. The Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Next Trevi Fountain area for some free time and lunch (on own). This afternoon, 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. Holy Mass will be celebrated by our priest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. This Basilica contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus. Visiting at least one of the four Major Papal Basilicas the Jubilee Indulgence is granted by the Holy Father and there might be an opportunity to see and go through the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Dinner and overnight.

Following breakfast, board the bus and transfer to Assisi. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon and visit Rocca Maggiore, which offers incredible views of the city below and surrounding Umbria. Group will celebrate Mass at celebrate Mass at at St. Mary Major at the tomb of Blessed Carlos Acutis (pending confirmation), then enjoy a delicious Italian dinner and restful overnight.

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 your tour at the St. Francis Basilica, visit his 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. Group will celebrate Mass at St Francis tomb (pending confirmation). Following Mass will be 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 the Bishop’s House. Enjoy some free time on your own – you may take this time for additional prayer, shop in the many gift shops or enjoy a nice lunch. 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 and pray. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight.

This morning, you will ride through the beautiful Umbrian mountains to Orvieto. This incredible town sits on a volcanic high rock formation. Here we visit one of the most beautiful and most renowned Cathedrals in Italy. Because of its strategic location, it’s Christian history officially started in 1004, but Orvieto was built over preexisting Etruscan era cave tunnels dating back 2,500 years, which some historians believe Christians used to celebrate Mass when Christianity was forbidden. Next, we visit the nearby town of Bolsena and the Cathedral housing the corporeal of the Miracle of the Eucharist which took place in 1262. Here we celebrate Mass. Continue to Rome for dinner and overnight.

This morning group will attend Papal Angelus in St. Peter’s Square. The Angelus is celebrated each Sunday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Continue to visit Catacomb of St Agnes where you will celebrate Mass at St. Agnes in Agone in Piazza Novona (pending confirmation). Catacomb of Saint Agnes is a subterranean necropolis in Rome, named after Saint Agnes, a virgin and martyr. This ancient labyrinth of tombs, embedded within the monumental complex of Sant’Agnese fuori le mura, is a testament to Rome’s early Christian history. The catacomb itself spans three levels, divided into four regions, each carrying its unique narrative of the past. This historic place is devoid of any significant paintings, but the epigraphic testimonies make it an intriguing landmark for history enthusiasts. Vising both the Basilica of St. Francis and Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels pilgrims will be able to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence granted by the Holy Father. Afternoon is free for some additional time in prayer and reflections or last minute shopping.

Following breakfast at your hotel transfer to Rome Airport for your 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.