Make your way to JFK 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 lobbyfora 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 dayby visitingthe oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome and the home tothe 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, youwill 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 SaintHelena. People ascend on the Holy Stairs on their knees, in memory of Christ’s agonizing Passion. Continue on to theBasilica of St. Mary Major, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. St. Mary Major is the only Basilica that reigns from its original structure and is anauthentic 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. 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 tovisit 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. Atthe 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. After, we will board our bus that will bring us toone of Rome’s most famous Piazza’s –Piazza Navona. From there you will walk to the famous Spanish Steps, and continuing on to the Trevi Fountain where you will throw a coin in for Good Luck (and to return to the Eternal City). You will have some free time to grab a snack before continuing on to see the most preserved monument of ancient Rome –the Pantheon. Gaze up at the oculus, the opening to the heavens. Take in the architectural wonder of the biggest concrete dome ever built. It is also the tomb of the great Renaissance artist, Raphael. You will return to the hotel for dinner. In the eveningyou will have time to explore the streets of Rome or return to the hotel for overnight.

Following breakfast, you will have the remainder of the day Free to spend at you would like. Feel free to inquire with your Escort with ideas or thoughts on things to do. You can go shopping, take a tour inside the Colosseum, take a stroll across the Bridge of Angels and enjoy lunch at a Café in one of the Piazzas. Return to the Hotel in time for dinner and overnight.

This morning, after breakfast, you will depart your Hotel and make your way through to Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis. Upon arrival in Assisi, As you arrive at 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.You will make your way to your Hotel in time for check-in to the Hotel, followed by some free time before dinner, and overnight.

After breakfast, you will board the bus, which will take you outside of the walls of Assisi, to the Basilica of St. Mary of theAngels. 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). Thesecond is the “Capella del Transito” which is the place St. Francis died. During your time here, you will have the opportunity to visit thebeautiful Rose Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where St. Francis retired to pray. Return to the village of Assisi and havesome free time -you may take this time for additional prayer, shop in the many gift shops, or enjoy a nice lunch. You will gather in the evening for your final dinner and then get an early nights sleep.

After an early morning wake up, with 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.