ROME & The Closing of the Holy Doors
4 days / 3 nights
The Jubilee year 2025, the Year of Hope, is a profoundly spiritual event that only occurs once every 25 years, making it a rare and precious opportunity. For many, it is a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage of faith, reflection and spiritual renewal. On this very special 4-day pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican City, we will experience the momentous Jubilee 2025 Closing Ceremony with Pope Leo XIV and the closing of the Holy Doors. After millions of pilgrims visiting Rome in 2025 from all around the world, we will be one of the last to walk through the Holy Doors in each of the four major Basilicas before they are closed. Passing through the Holy Doors during the Jubilee offers the chance to receive a plenary indulgence, a profound gift of grace. It is truly a blessing. Jesus said: "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved." - John 10:9. We will visit St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Archbasilica of St John Lateran, Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and the Basilica of St Mary Major (where we can also view the final resting place of Pope Francis). As we walk the streets of Rome, we will also encounter a breathtaking array of religious shrines, awe-inspiring architecture, and masterpieces of Renaissance art, all echoing centuries of faith and devotion. We pray that this pilgrimage and holy experience fills our hearts with Peace, Love, and Unity - and that its memory will remain with us for years to come. Join our last pilgrimage to Rome during the Jubilee Year 2025 and deepen your connection to God and to others, may it be a time of spiritual transformation and joy.
UK - Rome - St Paul Outside the Walls - St Peter’s Basilica & Walking through the Holy Doors
Fly direct from London Gatwick to Rome with easyJet. The provisional departure time is 07:25, arrival at 11:00 local time. Upon arrival, we will be met by our local tour escort. On the way to our hotel, we will stop and 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. We will walk through the Holy Door here, followed by Mass. Free time to look around the basilica and time for lunch. We proceed to our hotel and check-in. After we are settled, we will walk to St. Peter’s Square for an initial glimpse of the heart of the Vatican. Starting at Piazza Pia, we will walk with a large wooden cross to St Peter’s Basilica before walking through the Holy Door. Afterwards, we will have a guided tour of the basilica, the largest of all the Catholic churches. We will explore this wonderful basilica and the grounds and visit the Crypt and view the tombs of St Peter, St John Paul II and the famous Michelangelo’s Pieta. This visit will be one of the highlights of our pilgrimage; viewing the largest and most important churches in the world, built over the traditional burial site of Saint Peter. We’ll take in the magnificent structure, designed by renowned architects including Michelangelo; it features a grand dome, stunning artwork, and richly decorated interiors. Evening dinner in a local restaurant (included in price) before returning to our hotel. Overnight here for 3 nights.
Rome - Archbasilica of St John Lateran - Basilica of St Mary Major & Walking through the Holy Doors
Breakfast in the hotel. Today, we will have a half day guided tour of the remaining two major basilicas in Rome. Firstly, the Archbasilica 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. Secondly, we visit the Basilica of St Mary Major, which houses the true relics of the manger from Bethlehem in which Jesus was laid following his birth. We will also view Pope Francis’ tomb here. After walking through the Holy Door at St Mary Major, we will have Mass. Free time for lunch. After our break, we’ll have the opportunity to visit St Peters in Chains Basilica to view Michelangelo’s famous Statue of Moses and walk past the Colosseum and Roman Forum, viewing them from the outside. Return to our hotel and free time in the evening.
Jubilee 2025 Closing Ceremony (on the Feast of the Epiphany)
Breakfast in the hotel. Today, 6th January is the Feast of Epiphany. We’ll meet our professional local tour escort in the hotel lobby to attend the official closing of the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica. During the ceremony, Pope Leo XIV will symbolically bring Rome Jubilee 2025 to an end. The information and itinerary for the closing ceremony has not yet been released, but it is a significant liturgical event in the Catholic tradition, marking the end of the Holy Year which began with the opening of the Holy Door on Christmas Eve 2024. The closing ceremony will be a continuation of the Jubilee’s theme, "Pilgrims of Hope". Free time in and around St Peter’s Square for the rest of the afternoon and evening before returning to the hotel. You may wish to visit the Sistine Chapel or spend time in one of the most famous squares in Rome, the Piazza Navona, or walk to the Spanish Steps, Pantheon and/or Trevi Fountain in the old city.
Rome - Mass at St Peter’s Basilica - London
We check out of the hotel early with our breakfast boxes. If time allows, early morning Mass at St Peter’s Basilica before proceeding to the airport for our flight back home. The provisional departure time is 11:00, arrival at London Gatwick at 12:45.
The booking deadline at this price is 10/10/2025. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £250 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.