Today: We begin with the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square! The Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Following the Audience, you will visit the oldest of the four major basilicas in Rome, and the home to the relics of Peter and Paul, the Basilica of St. John the Lateran. This Basilica is where Pope Francis was installed as Bishop of Rome. Next, you will cross the street to visit the Holy Stairs. These Holy Stairs are the very steps leading up to the praetorian of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus stepped on his way to trial during his Passion. The Stairs were brought to Rome by Saint Helena in the fourth century. Ascending these stairs on your knees, in memory of Christ’s agonizing Passion. We conclude your day, with a Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Church dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, St. Mary Major reigns as the only Basilica that has kept its original structure and is an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman Churches. This Basilica contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: This morning, you will enjoy an early breakfast before making your way to the largest Christendom Church, St. Peter’s Basilica. This Basilica was built on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome, was martyred. Also, it was Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who was the first Pontiff to visit the necropolis since extensive archaeological excavations were conducted at the ancient site decades ago. It is here that you will view Michelangelo’s Pieta. This stunning marble sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ after His crucifixion, death, and removal off the cross before being placed in the tomb. Continue to proceed to the Vatican Museums. At the world-renowned museum, you will see the most impressive of edifices, galleries, and awe-inspiring relics. Additionally, you will observe the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo’s Masterpiece, the restored mural of the Last Judgment. The final stop on your Vatican tour is at the tomb of Saint John Paul II. After Free time for lunch, we will continue on your short journey down the Appian Way, the earliest road of Ancient Rome. This road leads to the Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, the Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the catacombs of St. Callixtus. The day concludes with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul, outside the walls. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century, this Basilica is the burial place of Saint Paul the Apostle.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We begin our walking tour of Rome. Starting at the Piazza Venezia we will walk to some of Rome’s most famous sights like the Capitoline Hill, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. Visit the Capitoline Museums and view one of Italy’s finest collection of classical sculptures. We walk to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Altar of Heaven (Sancta Maria de AracoeliIt which is the designated Church of the city council of Rome. Walk past the Mamertine Prison where St. Peter and Paul were held before their executions. Walk to the Via Dei Fori Imperiali where we have an opportunity to tour the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Arch of Constantine. After lunch, we visit The Basilica di San Clemente (Basilica of St. Clement) an early Christian basilica in Rome dedicated to Pope St. Clement. Visit the Basilica of San Gregorio Magno al Celio (St. Gregory the Great) which is part of a monastery of monks of the Camaldolese branch of the Benedictine Order We stop at Mother Teresa convent for a short prayer.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: This morning, we will celebrate Mass at St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, site of the Porziuncola, the tiny church in the woods where St. Francis began his ministry and where St. Clare began her religious life. We will tour the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and view many of his personal possessions. The crucifix that spoke to him, asking him, “Rebuild my Church.” We visit the chapel where St. Francis spent most of his time as well as the Church of St. Clare, where her relics are housed. The rest of the day is for shopping or relaxing.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: In the morning, we head toward the Adriatic coast to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth, and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. Continue to Lanciano. Upon arrival in Lanciano, celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Longinus. This Church is the site of the Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in the eighth century. At the time of the Miracle, there was a Basilian monk who struggled with the belief in the real presence of The Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. During the time of Mass, the monk, with doubt in his voice, said the “Words of Consecration” and the bread turned into living flesh, and the wine transformed into live blood. There will be some free time to explore Lanciano, before continuing toward San Giovanni Rotondo.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: This morning, after breakfast, you will visit the Old Church. After Mass, you will tour the sanctuary, it is here you will view the crucifix, in front of which St. Pio received the stigmata. Visit the confessional from where St. Pio spent an innumerable amount of hours listening to confessions. Next, you will board the bus and travel along the beautiful Gargano Peninsula to the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel, a shrine consecrated by St. Michael. At this grotto, St. Michael appeared to a Bishop to assure him that his diocese would not be annihilated as he feared. Following the visit to the grotto, enjoy free time. On the way back to San Giovanni Rotondo, view breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding countryside.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: Heading north, we pass through the rich Italian countryside of vineyards, orchards and olive groves. We take in the amazing panoramic views. We find ourselves in Monte Cassino, a town founded by St. Benedict in 529. Tour the magnificent Abbey of Monte Cassino, where the Benedictine Order was founded by St. Benedict. Visit the Church of St. Peter and Paul. We then continue on to Rome.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: This morning we will transfer to the airport to catch our return flight home.