Once every 25 years the Pope announces a Jubilee, and we don’t want to miss out! The Jubilee pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi with the Kenelm Youth Trust will give you the opportunity to come together with young people from around the world in a celebration of faith. The Jubilee gives the opportunity to experience and celebrate the diversity of the universal church. Each day we will have the opportunity to come together in moments of prayer and reflection and we will be accompanied throughout the pilgrimage by our Chaplain Bishop Timothy. With the chance to visit the 4 major basilicas in Rome (St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Archbasilica of St John Lateran, Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and Basilica of St Mary Major) each with its own Holy door that is opened for the Jubilee year. Whilst on the pilgrimage you will also have the opportunity to see a vast wealth of religious shrines, ancient and beautiful architecture and Renaissance exhibitions. On our final day in Rome, we have Holy Mass with Pope Francis, before moving on to a historical city pervaded by the spirit of St. Francis, visiting the Basilica of St Francis and his tomb in Assisi. What is it like to be a part of WYD celebrations? “There is no experience (both in or outside the church) quite like a WYD celebration. An entire city comes alive with a vibrancy, joy and hopefulness that only happens through youthful hearts. I went to both Krakow ‘16 and Lisbon ‘23 and both were life changing. Opportunity to encounter God and global cultures. To laugh and converse and sing. To enjoy food, and appreciate it more for the queues. To walk side by side with the world, with different views, ideas and backgrounds but united in a love of Jesus. And there is no holy silence quite like the silence of a few million people before Jesus in adoration.” Paddie Denton
London - Rome
Depart London on our direct flight to Rome Ciampino Airport with Ryanair. Upon arrival, our tour representative (tour escort) and driver will meet you and the group in the airport. Transfer to our hotel and check-in. Evening dinner in a local Italian restaurant.
Rome - Full day guided tour
Breakfast in the hotel. Today we meet our tour escort and local tour guide in the hotel lobby and tour the city on our private coach. We will have a guided visit the four major basilicas in Rome. Firstly, the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, the second largest church in Rome, which houses the tomb of St Paul kept under the main altar. Mass here. Secondly, the Basilica of St Mary Majors, which houses the true relics of the manger from Bethlehem in which Jesus was laid following his birth. Thirdly, St Peters in Chains Basilica to view Michelangelo’s famous Statue of Moses and lastly the Basilica of St John Lateran, the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome which is the oldest, and the first among the four great "patriarchal" basilicas of Rome. Across the road from here we make a quick visit to the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa). According to tradition these are the steps our Lord walked up on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate. We then stop for lunch near St Peter’s Square. We then have a guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica, the largest of all the Catholic churches. We explore this wonderful basilica and the grounds and visit the Crypt and view the tombs of St Peter and recent Popes. We spend the rest of the afternoon here before returning to the hotel. Evening dinner.
Rome - Vigil with Holy Father - Jubilee events & Free time
Breakfast in the hotel. Free time in the morning. After lunch, transfer to Tor Vergata for the Jubilee Youth events (15:00 - 20:00 entertainment and welcome with music and testimonies; 20:30-21:30 Vigil with the Holy Father). Transfer back to the hotel.
Rome - Mass with Holy Father - Jubilee events & Free time
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Tor Vergata for Holy Mass presided over by the Holy Father (at 09:30). Transfer back to the hotel and free time afterwards. Evening dinner in a local Italian restaurant.
Rome - Cascia - Assisi
Check-out of our hotel after breakfast and travel to Assisi. To break up our journey, about halfway, we stop and visit the Shrine of St Rita in Cascia. Pope Leo XIII canonized Rita in 1900 and she was bestowed the title "Patroness of Impossible Causes." Mass here, followed by lunch in this stunning location. We then continue our journey to Assisi. Upon arrival, we check-in to our hotel and spend the final 2 nights of the pilgrimage here. Evening dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Assisi
After breakfast, we will have a walking tour of Assisi. Firstly to the Basilica of St Clare which houses her incorrupt body. Clare of Assisi left her family’s palace in 1212 and was received by St Francis (with other young women) at the Porziuncola, thereafter establishing the Order of Poor Clares. One of the chapels here contains the crucifix that bowed its head and ordered St. Francis to “repair God’s Church.” Afterwards, we visit St Mary Major Parish in Assisi, also known as the Shrine of the Renunciation, which refers to the time when St. Francis stripped himself of his clothing in front of his father as a way of renouncing his wealth. Blessed Carlos Acutis’ tomb currently resides here (today being 14 Oct 2024); Carlos Acutis, who had a passion for computers and the Eucharist, died at the young age of 15 in 2006 from leukemia and we are all awaiting news of his upcoming canonization which is expected at some point in 2025. We will then tour the Basilica of St Francis, built in 1228 to house the Relics of the saint. The “upper” basilica houses beautiful frescoes of Giotto. Mass here followed by lunch. We then drive to the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels (Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli), a papal minor basilica situated in the plain at the foot of the hill of Assisi. The basilica was constructed around the very ancient chapel; the Porziuncola, named after the piece of land it was built on, was venerated for an apparition of angels within it and was originally the property of the Benedictines of Subasio. After a long period of abandonment, the little church Porziuncola was restored by St. Francis. It was here the young Francis of Assisi understood his vocation to live in poverty amongst the poor. It was here he founded the Order of Friars Minor (1209), "establishing here his home" and the church thus became the most sacred place for the Franciscans. St Francis died here in 1226. After our tour, we return to the hotel for evening dinner.
Assisi - Rome - London
Early final Mass in the hotel chapel, followed by breakfast. If time permits, we may have some free time in Assisi in the morning. Transfer to the airport for our direct flight back to London. E&OE.
The booking deadline at this price is 31/03/2025. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £400 with your completed booking form will confirm your place on this tour. The final balance is due 2 months prior to the departure date.
We’ll mail your travel pack around two weeks before travelling, including your flight information, boarding passes (if applicable), general information booklet, hymn and prayer booklets, name badge, lanyard and luggage label.
All Saints Travel is an ATOL licence holder (no. 6049). In the very unlikely event of company insolvency, you are guaranteed a refund and repatriation back to the UK through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Air Travel Trust Fund (ATTF). Please visit www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection for further information.
It’s your responsibility to ensure you have a passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of return, in addition to any visas required to travel to the relevant countries. Please call us on 01793 881166 for further information.
For the latest travel advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
While people of all ages are invited to travel on this tour, a reasonable level of fitness is required in order to keep pace with the group. There may be extended periods of standing and walking on hard surfaces.
It’s compulsory to have adequate travel insurance for your journey. When booking with us we can refer you to Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, or you can buy your insurance independently.
