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Day 1: Depart the USA
Today, we depart our local cities on our overnight flight(s) to Rome. As we cross the Atlantic, we prepare our hearts for the days ahead, uniting as pilgrims ready to walk in the footsteps of the Saints. Meals and drinks provided onboard.
Day 2: Arrival in Rome
Upon arrival in Rome, we will gather our bags, board our bus, and transfer to our hotel for check-in. In the evening we will enjoy a cocktail hour with our Host Cale Clark and a welcome dinner for our pilgrimage. Overnight in Rome.
Day 3: Vatican City & The Papal Audience
After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to St. Peter’s Square for the Papal Audience at 9 a.m., led by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV (subject to his schedule). Pilgrims are encouraged to bring medals, rosaries, and other religious items for a blessing. The Pope delivers a speech, followed by prayers and a homily, and concludes with a blessing. After lunch, we will tour the Vatican Museum, exploring the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel. Our day ends at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we view Michelangelo’s Pieta and the tomb of St. Pope John Paul II, and walk through the basilica, finishing at the Tomb of St. Peter. We then attend Mass at a nearby church. Dinner and overnight stay in Rome.
Day 4: Major Roman Basilicas
Today is dedicated to the Major Basilicas. We will start at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and visit the burial site of St. Paul. Next, we’re off to the Church of St. Mary Major, where pilgrims can view what is said to be the wood relics of the Holy Crib of the Nativity of Jesus. After lunch, we visit the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the “Mother of all Churches in the World,” and the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. Here, we will also have the opportunity to climb the Lateran Steps. Lastly, we’ll visit the Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme to see the relics of the Holy Cross which St. Helena brought from the Holy Land to Rome. Dinner and overnight stay in Rome.
Day 5: Pompeii
After breakfast, we board our motorcoach and head south through the Italian countryside toward the ancient city of Pompeii. Upon arrival, we explore the remarkably preserved ruins of this once-thriving Roman city, buried under volcanic ash by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Walking its ancient cobblestone streets, we’ll pass intact bakeries, bathhouses, and villas, and witness the haunting plaster casts of those who perished. We continue with a scenic drive up to the crater rim of Mount Vesuvius itself, the only active volcano on mainland Europe, where breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples await. We then re-board our motorcoach for the return journey north to Rome. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 6: Monte Cassino & San Giovanni Rotondo
Following breakfast, we set off on a scenic bus ride southeast of Rome, heading to Monte Cassino, where the ancient Roman town of Casinum once stood. Our first stop is the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino, the original home of the Benedictine Order, established by St. Benedict around 529. We then proceed east to San Giovanni Rotondo, where St. Padre Pio lived for many years until his death in 1968. Upon arriving, we check into our hotel and have some leisure time before celebrating Mass. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.
Day 7: San Giovanni Rotondo & Monte Sant’Angelo
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the hospital founded by Padre Pio. Following this, we will return to Santa Maria delle Grazie to see the church and confessional where Padre Pio spent countless hours hearing confessions, a testament to his dedication to the sacrament. It is believed that he could read souls, and pilgrims have traditionally left small notes with their intentions near his confessional. At this shrine, we will also view the incorrupt body of St. Padre Pio and explore his living quarters. We will then board our motorcoach and travel through the beautiful Gargano Peninsula to Monte Sant’Angelo, where St. Michael is said to have appeared in the cave in the years 490, 492, and 493. Mass will be celebrated in the grotto. Afterward, there will be time for lunch and leisure in this charming area before we return to our hotel. In the evening, following dinner at the hotel, we will join the candlelight procession at the Sanctuary of Padre Pio. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.
Day 8: Lanciano & Loreto
Today, we begin our journey to Assisi after an early breakfast at the hotel. Our first stop is in the town of Lanciano, where we visit the Church of St. Longinus, famous for hosting one of the most significant Eucharistic Miracles in Catholic Church history. Legend has it that in the 8th century, during Mass, a monk struggling with doubts about transubstantiation witnessed a miraculous event: the host turned into flesh and the wine into blood upon the pronouncement of consecration. We will celebrate Mass then break for lunch. Continuing our journey, we board the bus and head towards the Marian Shrine in Loreto, the Basilica della Santa Casa. Within its walls, we encounter the beautiful Madonna of Loreto and the Holy House of Nazareth. Tradition holds that this modest house is where “The Word Became Flesh,” where Mary spent her early years, and where she received the visitation of the angel Gabriel. It is also believed to be the place where Jesus was raised, and where the Holy Family lived. Later in the day, we travel to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare. Dinner and an overnight in Assisi.
Day 9: Assisi, St. Francis Basilica, St. Clare’s, Blessed Carlo Acutis
We’ll start our day with Mass and a tour at the Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi. After lunch, we will proceed to the Basilica di Santa Chiara to see the Saint’s body and pray for her intercession in front of the San Damiano Cross. St. Clare was the foundress of the Order of Poor Clares. Next, we will visit the Cathedral of San Ruffino, Chiesa Nuova and San Damiano, where Saint Clare built her community. We will also visit Santuario della Spogliazione to view the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be declared Blessed. Farewell dinner and overnight in Assisi.
Day 10: Santa Maria degli Angeli
After breakfast, we will set off from Assisi to explore the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli. This basilica is divided into two sections: the “Porziuncola,” where St. Francis received his calling and embraced a life of poverty, and the “Capella del Transito,” the small room where he peacefully passed away in 1226. After lunch we’ll board our bus and transfer back to Rome for departure. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
(Those who join the post-tour will transfer to Florence today)
Day 11: Our Pilgrimage comes to an end
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we transfer to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for our flight home, carrying with us the graces of our days in the footsteps of the great Saints.
Post Tour to Florence & Venice | September 30 – October 4, 2026 (5 Days)
Day 10: Santa Maria degli Angeli
After breakfast, we will set off from Assisi to explore the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli. This basilica is divided into two sections: the “Porziuncola,” where St. Francis received his calling and embraced a life of poverty, and the “Capella del Transito,” the small room where he peacefully passed away in 1226. After lunch our post-Tour begins, we’ll board our bus and transfer to Florence. Dinner and overnight in Florence.
Day 11: Full day Florence
Today, we wake up in the cradle of the Renaissance. After breakfast, we will enjoy a tour of the Convent of San Domenico. Next, we will visit the Convento di San Marco, an architectural masterpiece built by Michelozzo at the appointment of Cosimo de’ Medici. Continue through Republic Square to the Santa Maria del Fiore 13th-century cathedral. After mass at the Cathedral, we’ll have some leisure time to relax & enjoy a glass of wine. Dinner and overnight in Florence.
Day 12: Half day Florence, transfer to Venice
Today we will start with a visit to the L’Accademia Museum to view Michelangelo’s “David” as well as other works of art. Next, we were off to the Basilica di San Lorenzo, where we would celebrate Mass. After lunch, we’ll visit Casa di Dante and Chiesa di Santa Margherita dei Cerchi, where Dante attended mass and was married. In the afternoon, we will board our motor coach and transfer to Venice. En route, we will visit Padua and the Basilica of St. Anthony. Dinner and overnight in Venice.
Day 13: Full day Venice
Today we’ll visit St. Mark’s Square, Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Palace of the Doges will highlight our tour of this mystical city. Leisure time in the afternoon for lunch and to visit Venice on your own. Dinner and overnight in Venice.
Day 14: Post-tour ends
With a renewed sense of pilgrimage and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we transfer to the Venice Marco Polo Airport and board our return flight(s) home.
