Join us on this very special and unique Pilgrimage to Italy during the Jubilee Year 2025 and attend the momentous event and have the unforgettable experience of witnessing the Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis in Rome. Blessed Carlo Acutis will be the first Saint this Millenium, making this a truly memorable occasion and not one to miss! We will have guided visits to the four major basilicas of 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) and have a chance to walk through their Holy Doors. Jesus was quoted saying "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me, will be saved" (Jn 10:9). Plenary indulgence can be gained by entering through the Holy Doors. We will also tour Assisi, a historical city pervaded by the spirit of St. Francis, viewing the Basilica of St Francis, St Clare, St Mary of the Angels and Blessed Carlos Acutis’ tomb.
London - Perugia (near Assisi)
Depart London Gatwick on our direct flight to Rome. Provisional flight time 08:50, arrival at 12:30, local time. We will be welcomed in the Arrivals Terminal by our local Italian, English-speaking tour representative and coach driver. Our Italian Tour Escort will be with the group every day and will be available to help and/or provide advice throughout the pilgrimage. Transfer to Perugia (near Assisi). Check-in for 2 nights and then evening dinner.
Assisi
After breakfast, we will meet our local English-speaking Tour Escort and coach driver in the hotel lobby. We start our day with a guided tour of 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 and we view his cell. We will then drive up the hill to Assisi where we will have some free time for lunch and to enjoy the pretty hill-town. There are many shops, cafes and restaurants. After our free time for lunch (and/or shopping), we will meet our our professional local guide and have a walking guided-tour of Assisi. We start at 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. 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. After our tour, we have Mass at the Basilica of St Francis, before returning to our hotel. Evening dinner and overnight.
Rome - Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls - Basilica of St Mary Major - Archbasilica of St John Lateran & Walking through the Holy Doors
Today, after an early breakfast, we will meet our local English-speaking Tour Escort in the hotel lobby and check out before heading towards Rome where we will spend the rest of our pilgrimage. We have a guided visit of three major basilicas in Rome; the Holy Doors will also be open in the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, the Basilica of St Mary Major and Archbasilica of St John Lateran. When we arrive in Rome we will meet our professional local tour guide and firstly, we visit 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 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. Transfer to our hotel in Rome and check in for 2 nights. Evening dinner.
Rome - Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis - St Peter’s Basilica & Walking through the Holy Door
Today we will witness history on the day Blessed Carlo Acutis is declared a Saint! Blessed Carlo Acutis will be the first Saint this Millenium, making this a truly special occasion and not one to miss. Blessed Carlo Acutis had a passion for computers and the Eucharist and died at the young age of 15 in 2006 from leukemia. After breakfast, we walk with our Tour Escort to St. Peters Square to secure a spot for the canonisation ceremony (approximately a 29-min walk). This once in a lifetime experience will create ever-lasting memories and will attract pilgrims from all over the world to witness this momentous occasion. After the ceremony, we have free time for lunch and Mass will be arranged. After lunch, we meet our local Tour Guide for a guided visit of St Peter’s Basilica, the largest of all the Catholic churches. We have a guided tour here followed by Mass in one of the chapels. We explore this wonderful basilica and the grounds and visit the Crypt and view the tombs of St Peter and recent Popes. Return to the hotel. Evening dinner.
Rome - London
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport for our direct flight back to London. Provisional departure time 10:50 arriving into London Gatwick at 12:35.
The booking deadline at this price is 20/02/2025. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £350 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.
