Today our pilgrimage begins as we depart Syracuse (or your local airport) on our overnight flight(s) to Rome, Italy.

Enjoy meals and refreshments served on the plane

Morning arrival into Rome, we will gather our bags and meet our Canterbury tour manager & bus driver. After we exit the airport and board out motorcoach we will take a “get yourself acquainted” bus tour of the eternal city before checking into our hotel.

Welcome Dinner | Overnight in Rome, Italy

If you are booking your own airfare, please book flights that arrive no later than 4:00PM into [FCO] on 04/25/2025 if you would like to have time for hotel check-in and our welcome dinner.

In the morning, we head to Vatican City where we will have the opportunity to walk through the Holy Door of St. Peters Basilica and have a private Mass nearby. Following a brief lunch, we tour the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, marveling at the incredible art and history. Today we will be able to walk through the Holy Door at St. Peters Basilica. In the afternoon we will have some time at leisure to explore on our own, we suggest buying some rosaries, medals, scapulars etc.… to have blessed by Pope Francis on day four!

Breakfast, and Dinner | Overnight in Rome, Italy

In the morning we will head to St. Peter’s Square for the historic canonization ceremony of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991–2006) was an Italian teenager known for using his computer skills to archive Eucharistic miracles and was beatified in 2020 after dying of leukemia at age 15. Today we will witness him becoming Saint Carlo Acutis! We will also gather for the Angelus and the Popes Apostolic Blessing. After the Canonization ceremonies and lunch, we will board our bus and visit the Trevi Fountain together, we will have free time to visit the Piazzas after we visit the Trevi Fountain. 

Breakfast included, Dinner on your own tonight | Overnight in Rome, Italy

After breakfast, we begin our day trip to Assisi. We’ll begin in the lower village of Assisi, visiting St. Mary of the Angels, where St. Francis spent a significant part of his life. We will explore the Chapel Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retreated for prayer. Next, we will proceed to the Church of St. Clare to view the Saint’s body, incorrupt since her death centuries ago. St. Clare was the foundress of the Order of Poor Clare’s. We will have some free time for lunch at Piazza della comuna followed by a visit to St. Mary Major. Today we will also visit the Basilica of St. Francis where Father will celebrate Mass. Finally, we will take time to
visit the Shrine of the Renunciation, where the millennial saint Blessed Carlo Acutis’ body is interred, and learn more about his life and spirituality.

Breakfast included, dinner on your own tonight | Overnight in Rome, Italy

After breakfast, we will embark on a historic tour of Ancient Rome. We will stroll along Cobblestone streets, lined with majestic stone pines, and visit the Colosseum, a grand amphitheater of the ancient world. Passing by the Roman Forum, we will witness the ruins of ancient government buildings. After lunch, we will visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran and have an opportunity to walk through the Holy Doors at each basilica which symbolizes passing into the presence of God by way of our Lord Jesus, who called himself the “gate.” Those who pass through a Holy Door can also receive a plenary indulgence. At the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran we also will have the opportunity to climb the Lateran Steps.

Breakfast, and farewell dinner | Overnight in Rome, Italy

With a renewed sense of pilgrimage, and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we transfer to the Rome Fiumicino Airport and board our return flight home.

Meals and drinks served on your flights

If you are booking your own airfare, you are welcome to depart [FCO] at any time today 04/30/2025. Please be aware that hotel checkout will be at 11:00AM.