Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Florence. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.

Upon arrival in Italy, we are met at the airport by our tour manager, who will be with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. Depending upon our arrival time, enjoy an overview tour of this cosmopolitan city, including Mass. Then proceed to our hotel to check in before dinner and overnight. (D)

We’ll enjoy a full city tour of this magnificent Renaissance city today. Where else can one admire Michelangelo’s David, gaze at the famous Perseus statue by Benvenuto Cellini, eat the best food, and go into deep contemplation all in one day? See the famous dome on Florence’s cathedral – Duomo di Firenze – that dominates the skyline, and walk along the Ponte Vecchio, the famous bridge designed by a Dominican friar. Visit the Baptistry chapel, where thousands have received the Sacrament of Baptism, with its bronze Gates of Paradise showcasing fabulous castings of the Old Testament that seem to come to life. Continue onto Santa Maria Novella Church whose religious artwork is prized throughout the world. Enter the Santa Croce Church with its 16 chapels of superb frescoes by Giotto and see where Italy’s most famous Italians are buried: Michelangelo and Galileo. The rest of the afternoon is free for your own discoveries. (B, D)

We will depart Tuscany today and travel to the region of Umbria, stopping in Siena, to celebrate Mass at St. Dominic’s, St. Catherine of Siena’s parish church where she attended daily Mass and went into ecstasy. The people of Siena wanted St. Catherine to be buried in her home church, but they were only able to procure her head, which is preserved for veneration in a reliquary in St. Dominic’s. Adjacent to the church is her birthplace and childhood home, which has been renovated throughout the centuries into a museum, including several chapels and a cloister. Visit the cell where she fasted and prayed, then experience a highlight of our day in the Basilica of St. Francis: venerating the Eucharistic miracle of Siena. This afternoon we continue to the peaceful village of Assisi, a town which welcomes you in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare into its peaceful interior, and our home for the next three nights. (B, D)

This morning we will begin in the Basilica of St. Francis, where the saint lies in rest and where we will celebrate Mass at the Tomb of St. Francis. Afterwards, we’ll visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, site of the Porziuncola, the tiny church in the woods where St. Francis began his ministry and where he consecrated St. Clare. This afternoon we’ll tour the Convent of San Damiano where the miracle of the Eucharist of 1211 took place and visit the chapel where Jesus spoke to St. Francis from the crucifix. The balance of the afternoon will be free to explore more of this peaceful town. (B, D)

This morning begins with Mass at the Basilica of St. Clare, after which we will view and venerate her incorrupt body. Then we will take a taxi up to Monte Subasio to L’Eremo delle Carceri (the Carceri Hermitage), the Saint’s favorite retreat. There are many caves here that St. Francis and his followers retreated to for seclusion and prayer. After some time for prayer here, we will proceed to Rome, our home for the next 6 nights. (B, D)

We begin our first full day in Rome in St. Peter’s Basilica, with a tour including the Pieta and Adoration Chapel. Afterwards, we walk through the Vatican Museums which house artifacts from the around the world and Eucharistic art to prepare ourselves for the greatest masterpiece yet: The Sistine Chapel. Painted by Michelangelo, it is the most famous ceiling in the world under which popes are chosen to lead the faithful. Later this afternoon, enjoy a tour through the peaceful Vatican Gardens, followed by free time to relax or explore other sections of the city, including dinner out on our own. (B)

We go to the heart of ancient Rome to the Mamertine Prison where St. Paul was kept in chains for his preaching of the Gospel. We have outside visits to the Forum, an ancient Roman marketplace, and the Colosseum, before visiting St. Clement’s Basilica. Built over the home of the fourth Pope, it holds great historical significance especially in its ancient fresco depicting Eucharistic worship at the end of the first century. At St. Peter in Chains, we see the actual chains that held St. Peter when he was imprisoned in Rome and view Michelangelo’s magnificent statue of Moses. At St. Mary Major we venerate the crib of Christ, view the famous icon painting attributed to St. Luke, and see inestimable artwork that makes Rome renowned throughout the world. (B, D)

This morning, we will journey to St. Paul Outside the Walls, originally built by Constantine in the fourth century over the site of St. Paul’s tomb. After some time for prayer, we visit the Tre Fontane, site of three fountains and three churches, where St. Paul was beheaded. Afterwards, we proceed to the Catacombs of St. Callistus and venerate the martyrs and early saints of the Church. This afternoon, we will enjoy a walking tour to the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain where a coin thrown over your shoulder will guarantee you another visit to Rome. We will end near the Piazza Navona, where we will have some free timefor dinner on our own before returning to our hotel. (B)

Today we join thousands of other pilgrims at St. Peter’s Basilica to pray the Angelus with Pope Francis and receive his blessing – as his schedule allows. Afterwards, travel to St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, commemorating the martyrdom of St. Lawrence, one of the first deacons of Rome. Peek through one of the grates under the altar and you might see some of the ancient tunnels that led to a catacomb where he was first buried. The remains of the martyrs St. Justin and St. Stephen are also beneath the altar. In addition, this gem of a church holds the body of Pope Pius IX who declared the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The rest of the afternoon will again be free for personal activities. (B, D)

The Scala Santa, or Holy Stairs, are prayed this morning by climbing them on your knees because they are so sacred. Christ walked on these 28 marble stairs at the home of Pontius Pilate to be condemned to death. For those who cannot climb the stairs on their knees there are other stairs available for walking up that also lead to the chapel at the top. Our prayerful experience continues with a visit to St. John Lateran, the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic faithful and the oldest basilica in Europe. Afterwards, it’s on to Rome’s lovely Trastevere District with medieval cobblestone streets and religious shrines decorating doorways. The main square is dominated by the 12th century Basilica di Santa Maria, a church full of classical wonders from glittering mosaics to the relics of the Holy Sponge and St. Apolonia. Our day continues with a visit to the Basilica di Santa Cecilia built atop her former home. One of the earliest martyrs of Rome, St. Cecilia survived a near-decapitation for three days and was the first saint whose body was found to be incorrupt. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of our Italian pilgrimage. (B, D)

Our time pondering the history and faith of Italy comes to a close. We transfer to the airport for our return flight home cherishing all of the wonderful memories and graces of this pilgrimage. (B)