Steps of the Saints: The 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage

$ 2,770

7D | 6N

Arrive in the Eternal City
- Welcome to Rome, the heart of the Catholic Church and the center of the 2025 Jubilee Year celebration! Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and take some time to rest or begin exploring the city's timeless streets and landmarks at your leisure. In the afternoon, meet your Tour Director and fellow pilgrims to learn more about the sacred journey ahead. Later, gather for a welcome dinner at a traditional Roman restaurant, where you’ll share your first moments of fellowship over delicious local cuisine.
- Meals: Dinner

Papal Angelus & Sacred Beginnings
- Begin your day with Mass at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia, a beloved place of devotion known for its connection to Divine Mercy. Then, walk to St. Peter’s Square to witness the Papal Angelus prayer (subject to availability). Feel the profound energy of thousands gathered as the Pope offers a reflection and bestows his Apostolic blessing upon the faithful. In the afternoon, join a Local Guide to explore the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the final resting place of the Apostle Paul. Then visit the Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, a peaceful and historically rich church dedicated to the Roman martyr. Close the day with a visit to the nearby Catacombs, sacred underground burial sites used by early Christians—silent, powerful witnesses to the faith's resilience.
- Meals: Breakfast

Castel Gandolfo & St. Peter’s Basilica
- Travel into the tranquil Alban Hills to the picturesque village of Castel Gandolfo, home to the Pope’s summer residence. Tour the Apostolic Palace with a Local Guide and stroll through its stunning gardens—an oasis of peace with breathtaking views over Lake Albano. Return to Rome in the afternoon for a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most important and awe-inspiring churches in the world, home to Michelangelo’s Pietà and the tomb of St. Peter himself. After the tour, enjoy free time to explore the Vatican area at your own pace.
- Distance: 50 mi / 80 km
- Meals: Breakfast

Optional Pilgrimage to Assisi or Leisure in Rome
- Today is yours to shape. Choose a peaceful day of personal reflection in Rome, or join an optional full-day excursion to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, patron saint of Italy. Travel through the serene Umbrian countryside to this medieval hill town nestled on Mount Subasio. With a Local Guide, visit the Upper and Lower Basilicas of St. Francis and other sacred sites that tell the story of his humble life and enduring legacy. Whether you remain in Rome or journey to Assisi, today offers meaningful spiritual moments in beautiful surroundings.
- Meals: Breakfast

Papal Audience & Churches of the Holy Cross and St. Lawrence
- This morning offers the special privilege to attend the Papal Audience (subject to availability). Gather in St. Peter’s Square or the Paul VI Audience Hall to hear the Pope’s message and receive his Apostolic blessing—an unforgettable spiritual highlight. In the afternoon, visit the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, founded by St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, to house relics from Christ’s Passion—including fragments of the True Cross. Then continue to the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s oldest churches and burial site of St. Lawrence, martyred for his Christian faith. Celebrate Mass and reflect on the sacrifices of the early Church.
- Meals: Breakfast

Final Pilgrimage Sites & Farewell Celebration
- Today you’ll visit two of Rome’s most important Papal Basilicas. Begin at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome and the oldest public church in the West. Next, proceed to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, known for its stunning mosaics and sacred relics of the Nativity. Here, you’ll also celebrate Mass in a setting of heavenly beauty. Also included is a visit to the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs), believed to be the very steps Jesus climbed on his way to face Pontius Pilate. Pilgrims traditionally ascend the stairs on their knees in prayer—a moving and humbling act of devotion. This evening, share memories and blessings over a joyful farewell dinner with your fellow travelers as your pilgrimage draws to a close.
- Meals: Breakfast

Departure Day
- After breakfast, your Jubilee pilgrimage ends. Depart with a heart full of grace, memories of sacred moments, and the spirit of Pilgrims of Hope to carry with you.
- Meals: Breakfast

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