We arrive in the beautiful city of Rome. If time permits we

might visit the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, this

is where the bones of the apostle are preserved, we will celebrate

mass and then continue to the hotel on a panoramic tour

of Imperial Rome to see the Colosseums. Dinner and overnight

accommodations in your hotel.

In the morning, we begin by attending a papal audience with

Pope Leo XIV. After the audience we visit the Vatican Museums

to see centuries of beautiful art work and artifacts. See

the artwork of Michelangelo such as the Pieta and the Sistine

Chapel. We will explore St. Peter’s Basilica in all of its

splendor, built over St. Peter’s tomb. Dinner and overnight

accommodations in your hotel.

We begin by seeing the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which

contains a relic from the manger. From here, we visit the

Scala Sancta, the stairs Christ climbed to stand before Pontius

Pilate. Those who wish may climb the stairs, as is the

custom, on their knees. Visit The Basilica of St. John Lateran

and the Trevi Fountain. We continue to visit the Church of

Domine Quo Vadis, where Christ appeared to Peter and gave

him the courage to follow him to martyrdom, as foretold in

the Gospels. Finally, we visit the catacombs to see were the

persecuted Christians practiced their faith in hiding and are

buried. Dinner and overnight accommodations in your hotel.

Heading south, we pass through the rich Italian country

side of vineyards, orchards and olive groves. We take in the

amazing panoramic views as the hills and valleys call to us.

We find ourselves in Montecassino, a town founded by St.

Benedict in 529. We continue on to San Giovanni Rotondo,

the hometown of St. Padre Pio. Dinner and overnight

accommodations in your hotel.

We celebrate mass at the tomb of St. Padre Pio and take a

tour of the sanctuary. We see the old church and the crucifix

before which he received the stigmata in 1918. We see

the confessional where Padre Pio directed people on their

path. We stand and pray before Padre Pio’s incorrupt body.

Moving on, we have a stunning view of the Gargano Peninsula

as we pass by to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. -

Saints, popes and people from all over have come to this

grotto looking for the protection and intercession of St.

Michael. Dinner and overnight accommodations in your

hotel.

We travel to Lanciano to visit the Church of St. Longinus,

home of a Eucharistic miracle. We marvel at the miracle

and celebrate mass before traveling to see the Holy

House of Nazareth, the house where Mary first prayed the

Magnificat, and the Madonna of Loreto. Dinner and overnight

accommodations in your hotel.

Start the day by driving from Loreto to Assisi and visit The namesake

of our Pope, St. Francis of Assisi which will be our main focus today

as we begin our tour with a visit to his tomb. 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. Dinner and overnight

accommodations in your hotel.

In the morning, we head to Siena and view the city’s Romanesque

Gothic cathedral that was completed in 1380. The Sanctuary of St.

Catherine of Siena houses the miraculous Crucifix from which she

received her stigmata. We walk the shell shaped Piazza del Campo

town square which houses the Palazza Pubblico and the Torre del

Mangia two of their many architectural treasures. We continue on to

see the incorrupt relics of St. Catherine of Siena at the Basilica of St.

Dominic. Afterward, we continue to Rome. Dinner and overnight

accommodations in your hotel.

We leave Assisi and depart from Rome airport for our flight home to

the USA.