Discover Catholic Rome.
7 days tour to visit the most important places in Catholic history. From the Sanctuary of our Lady of Divine Love to St. Paul Outside Walls, from the Vatican City to the Catacombs of St. Calixtus. This itinerary includes an excursion to Assisi and a panoramic tour of some of the sites in Ancient Rome.
All our itineraries are flexible and customizable.
- Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPARTURE
We depart for Rome.
DAY 2: ARRIVAL IN ROME
Upon arrival in Rome, we are greeted by our experienced tour manager, who will accompany us throughout our journey. We board our motor coach and transfer to our hotel for check-in.
Depending on the arrival time of our flight, we visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love, where we will venerate the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. She is depicted seated on a throne, holding the child Jesus in her arms, with a dove descending upon her as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, representing Divine Love. This image is credited with many miracles, and signs of these graces are visible throughout the complex. We may celebrate Mass or take time to explore and pray in the various holy sites within the sanctuary, including the old church, the new sanctuary, the crypt, and others.
We then return to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 3: ROME
After breakfast at the hotel, we begin a guided tour of some of the most important basilicas in Rome. Our first stop is the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Mother, where we will pray before the Icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani (Mary, Salvation of the Roman People).
Next, we visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran and the Scala Santa. Founded by Constantine in 312 AD, it predates the Basilica of Saint Peter by about 14 years, making it the oldest basilica in the world. Inside, we will see the monumental statues of the 12 Apostles, particularly Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and Saint John the Evangelist. Over the tabernacle on the Papal Altar, in silver cases behind a grating, are the relics of Apostles Peter and Paul. We will also visit the nearby Scala Santa, which, according to tradition, was brought to Rome by Saint Helena, Constantine’s mother, from her pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This staircase is believed to be the one Jesus ascended when he appeared before Pilate, and it can only be climbed on one’s knees.
After some free time for lunch, we continue to two more significant basilicas that connect us to our Christian roots. We begin with a visit to the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, which still holds relics of the Cross brought by St. Helena after her trip to the Holy Land. This basilica is also part of the pilgrimage route of the “Seven Churches,” traditionally visited by foot by ancient pilgrims, thanks to St. Philip Neri.
We then visit another of the Seven Churches: the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, dating back to 330 AD. We will explore this beautiful ancient basilica and its crypt, which houses the tomb of Saint Lawrence, martyred in 258 AD, as well as the relics of Saint Stephen, traditionally honored as Christianity’s first martyr.
We return to our hotel, with the remainder of the afternoon free for leisure.
Dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight stay.
DAY 4: ROME
In the morning, we head to Vatican City to attend the General Papal Audience (subject to the Holy Father’s schedule). Afterward, we have free time for lunch in the Vatican area.
In the early afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour of the Basilica of St. Peter, which marks the burial site of the apostle. We will learn about his ministry and martyrdom in Rome and admire Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s baldachin over the high altar, the Altar of the Chair, and the tomb of Pope John Paul II. At the end of our visit, we have the option to return to the hotel with the provided transfer or join an optional tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Dinner will be at our hotel tonight. Overnight stay.
DAY 5: ROME: EXCURSION TO ASSISI
After breakfast, we depart for a full-day excursion to Assisi, the city of St. Francis and St. Clare. Our guide will lead us on a walking tour, including a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, where we will visit his tomb and view frescoes depicting his life in the upper basilica.
We will continue to the Chiesa Nuova, the birthplace of St. Francis, followed by a visit to the nearby Santuario Della Spogliazione, which holds the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Carlo, the first millennial to be beatified by the Catholic Church, was beatified on October 10, 2020, in a Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Our tour concludes with a visit to the Church of St. Clare, foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters, who followed the teachings of St. Francis by living a life of poverty and humility.
After some leisure time to explore and have lunch, we board our motor coach and return to Rome. On the way, we will stop at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, where St. Francis spent much of his life. We will visit the “Porziuncola,” where he founded the order of the Friars Minor, and the “Capella del Transito,” where St. Francis passed away.
We return to Rome for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 6: ROME:
After a buffet breakfast, we transfer to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, built on the site of the apostle’s burial in 313 AD, after Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which ended Christian persecution and allowed freedom of worship. We will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage in this basilica.
After Mass, we visit the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, where we will enjoy a guided tour of this underground cemetery, which spans approximately 12 miles of galleries on four levels, and contains the tombs of many early Christians, including 16 popes and several martyrs. On the way back to our hotel, we will enjoy a panoramic drive past some of the ancient landmarks of Rome, including the Circus Maximus, the Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum.
The rest of the afternoon is free for self-exploration or shopping. Dinner will be at the hotel. Overnight stay.
DAY 7: RETURN
This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight home.
What can you expect from this Catholic Tour?
Guided Tour of Most Important Basilicas in Rome
Vatican City and General Papal Audience (subject to schedule)
Full-day excursion to Assisi, the city of St. Francis and St. Clare
Panoramic drive past ancient landmarks in Rome
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