Join us on this 6-day pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year, the Holy Year in Rome and the Vatican city. 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) have a papal alter and a Holy Door that is opened only for the duration of the Holy Year, making this a very special year to embark on a pilgrimage here. 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. On this pilgrimage, we will see a vast wealth of religious shrines, ancient and beautiful architecture and Renaissance exhibitions. In Rome, we experience the General Papal audience with Pope Francis (when he is in residence). We will enjoy guided visits of the four major Basilicas of Rome and the historical city pervaded by the spirit of St. Francis, viewing the Basilica of St Francis and his tomb, St Clare and Blessed Carlo Acutis’ Tomb.
UK - St Rita in Cascia - Perugia near Assisi
Fly to Rome on our direct flight from London with easyJet. Our tour escort will meet us in Arrivals and will be with us during our touring days for help, guidance and local knowledge. Proceed north to our hotel in Perugia. To break up our journey towards Assisi, about halfway, we stop and visit the Shrine of St Rita in Cascia. Pope Leo XIII canonised St Rita in 1900 and she was bestowed the title "Patroness of Impossible Causes." We have free time to look around this stunning location as well as time for lunch. Afterwards, Mass in St Rita’s church and then we continue our journey. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel for two nights. Evening dinner at the hotel.
Assisi - St Francis, St Clare, St Mary of the Angels & Blessed Carlo Acutis Tomb
After breakfast, we will meet our local tour escort in the hotel lobby and then transfer to Assisi for a guided walking tour. 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 Carlo Acutis’ tomb resides here (he had a passion for computers and the Eucharist, and died at the young age of 15 in 2006 from leukemia). The Canonisation Ceremony of Blessed Carlo Acutis is set for Sunday 27th April 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.
Rome - St Paul Outside the Walls, St Mary Major & the 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 lobby area and check out of the hotel and transfer to Rome. We have a guided visit of three major basilicas in Rome; the Holy Doors will be open in the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, the Basilica of St Mary Major and Archbasilica of St John Lateran. 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 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. Time permitting, we will make a quick stop at St Peter in Chains Basilica on the way to our hotel to view Michelangelo’s famous Statue of Moses. Check in to our hotel. Evening dinner in a local restaurant.
Rome - Free Day
Breakfast in the Hotel. Mass afterwards. Free day for the rest of the day. Return to the hotel. Evening dinner in a local restuarant.
Rome - Papal Audience & St Peter’s Basilica & Walking through the Holy Door
After breakfast, we meet our tour escort in the hotel lobby and we leave the hotel for St Peter’s Basilica to attend the Papal Blessing in the Square (subject to the Holy Father being available). Afterwards, we have free time for lunch. The group will then have the opportunity to walk through the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica; the pilgrimage will start at Piazza Pia and the group will walk from here with a large wooden cross to St Peter’s Basilica before walking through the Holy Door. Afterwards, we will have a guided tour in the basilica, the largest of all the Catholic churches. We will tour this wonderful basilica and the grounds and visit the Crypt and view the tombs of St Peter and recent Popes. Return to the hotel with our tour escort. Evening dinner in a local restuarant.
Rome - London
Breakfast in the hotel. Mass if time allows. Transfer to the airport for our flight back to London.
The booking deadline at this price is 02/05/2025. 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.
