2026-08-23 IT1186 Rome, Cascia and Assisi

We fly to Rome on our direct flight from Bristol Airport. Upon landing, please remain with Fr Peter and the rest of the group at the baggage reclaim carousel. When everyone is together, we walk to Arrivals to meet the tour escort and coach driver who will transfer us to the hotel in Rome for check-in. Dinner and overnight here for 1 night.

After breakfast, we walk to the Vatican for our guided visit of St Peter’s Basilica. Built over the tomb of St. Peter, the basilica is one of the holiest churches in Christianity and represents a sacred symbol of faith for millions of believers around the world. Its magnificent beauty and peaceful atmosphere inspire pilgrims to deepen their faith and remember the enduring message of unity and the love of Christ. Inside we will view priceless works of art, ornate chapels, grand marble interiors, and Michelangelo’s famous sculpture, the Pieta. After our tour we will travel by coach to Assisi stopping in Cascia along the way see the Basilica of St. Rita. A 15th-century Italian nun, St. Rita is renowned as the “Patron Saint of Impossible Causes.” She is remembered for her deep faith, patience, and forgiveness despite enduring great suffering throughout her life. Before entering religious life, Rita was married to a difficult husband and later experienced the heartbreaking loss of both her sons. Following their deaths, she joined an Augustinian convent in Cascia and dedicated her life to prayer and service. Many people today pray to St. Rita in times of hopelessness — including serious illness, broken relationships, family struggles, and other difficult situations with no clear solution. Her feast day is celebrated each year on 22nd May. Perched atop a stunning hill in Cascia, the church dedicated to St. Rita offers wonderful views and a peaceful atmosphere. Here, we will view her incorrupt body and admire the serene architecture and beautiful artwork within the shrine. Mass here. We then continue our journey to Assisi with lunch served en route. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel. Evening dinner at the hotel and overnight here.

Today we will have a walking tour of Assisi. Firstly, visit 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. Visit St Carlo Acutis’ tomb currently resides here; Carlo Acutis, who had a passion for computers and the Eucharist was born in London on 3 May 1991 and died at the young age of 15 in 2006 from leukaemia. His Canonisation ceremony has been set on 27th April 2025. After lunch 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 and Mass here. We then drive to visit 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 Monte 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. Drive back to Rome and check in to our hotel for the remaining 3 nights. Evening dinner will be at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, we walk to St. Peter’s Square to attend the Papal Audience held within the vast St. Peter’s Square (subject to the Holy Father being available). We aim to arrive at least 1h 30m before it starts to get seats. Free time after the Papal Audience to explore Rome, do some shopping, enjoy some authentic Italian cuisine, and so on. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Today we have a guided visit of the remaining three major basilicas in Rome. Our first visit will be at St. Paul Outside the Walls, the second largest church in Rome, where the tomb of St. Paul rests under the main altar. Mass will be arranged here. Next, we visit the Basilica of St Mary Majors, home to the true relics of the manger from Bethlehem in which Jesus was laid following his birth. Before visiting the last of the major basilicas, we will take a small detour to visit the St. Peter in Chains Basilica and Michelangelo’s famous Statue of Moses within. Finally, we visit 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 we will view the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa). According to tradition these are the steps Our Lord walked up on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate. Return to our hotel for some rest before our last dinner together at a local restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Depending on the time of our flight it may be possible to arrange Mass before travelling to the airport for our flight back home. Note: Please note that this itinerary is subject to change. While we aim to follow the planned schedule, the exact day-to-day order cannot be guaranteed. On occasion, and where circumstances outside our control arise, some sites or activities may need to be adjusted, replaced, or cancelled. The order of visits may also be adapted by your tour guide where needed to help ensure the pilgrimage runs safely, smoothly, and as enjoyably as possible for everyone. Mass will be arranged according to the itinerary, and locations will be confirmed based on availability. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE).