Assisi to the Apostles: Bones of Francis to the Tombs of Peter & Paul March 2026

DATES

March 15 – 22, 2026

PLACE

ITALY

“Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages are unlike anything you’ve ever experienced — intimate, transformative, and deeply personal.

We carefully craft each day’s itinerary as a tapestry of prayer, spiritual depth, historical richness, and personal encounters, weaving together the lives of great saints, the people we meet along the way, and the unique stories each pilgrim brings from their own faith journey.

If you’re searching for more than just a trip — if you’re longing for something truly special — Join us for this incredible pilgrimage.

Come with us for a seven-day, once-in-a-lifetime journey to honor the bones of Saint Francis, which are being displayed for the first time in 800 years for pilgrims to venerate in his hometown of Assisi. Then continue with us to Vatican City, where we will stay at the Domus Santa Marta, the primary residence of the late Holy Father Pope Francis.

The pilgrimage begins in the beautiful city of Assisi, Italy. Assisi is the home of many ancient and modern saints, and it is also the birthplace of both the Franciscan order and their sister order, the Poor Clares. Here in Assisi, we will have the chance to venerate the tombs of all three of Assisi’s major saints: Saint Francis, Saint Clare, and Saint Carlo Acutis.

While in Assisi, we will visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, which was built around St. Francis’ Porziuncola, the little church that St. Francis rebuilt. Then we will encounter the saints. In the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, we will visit St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint. At the Basilica of St. Clare, we will have the opportunity to visit the tomb of St. Clare of Assisi and also take some time to pray at the San Damiano Cross, from which the crucified Christ spoke to St. Francis. At the Basilica of St. Francis, we will have a unique encounter with the great saint of Assisi as the bones of St. Francis are exposed for veneration for the first time.

We will then embark on our journey to Vatican City, stopping briefly in Foligno and Montefalco along the way. In Foligno, we will continue exploring the lives of saints by visiting St. Angela, a lay Franciscan mystic, wife, and mother. In Montefalco, we will enjoy a wine tasting in the region, which is famous for its Sagrantino wine.

Once we arrive in Vatican City, we will begin the Roman portion of our pilgrimage with a five-night stay at the Domus Santa Marta, located inside the walls of the Vatican and within walking distance of Saint Peter’s Basilica. This rare privilege allows us to live, pray, and move within the very heart of the Church.

Our days in Rome will center on the Apostles Peter and Paul, whose witness and martyrdom laid the foundations of the Church. We will attend Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica and descend beneath the basilica on the Scavi Tour to stand before the bones of Saint Peter, the fisherman called by Christ to be the Rock. We will also visit the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, built over the tomb of the Apostle to the Gentiles, and several other churches in Rome.

While in Rome, we will walk in the footsteps of Saint Francis, visiting San Francesco a Ripa in Trastevere, where he stayed in 1209 during his visit to seek papal approval for his way of life. We will also participate in a Papal Audience with Pope Leo XIV, receive his blessing in Saint Peter’s Square, and take part in Rome’s celebrations for the Feast of Saint Joseph, Father’s Day in Italy.

Our pilgrimage will also include a visit to Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence, followed by time at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, a cherished Augustinian devotion and the destination of Pope Leo XIV’s first journey outside Rome after his election to the papacy.

Through prayer, sacred encounters, and time for reflection, this carefully curated itinerary will allow us to draw ever deeper into the living heart of the Church, uniting the witness of the saints with the faith of today.

Pilgrimage Highlights

Assisi Highlights

Arrival in Italy with a personal welcome by Dr. Robert Moynihan, Editor of Inside the Vatican magazine, and Deborah Tomlinson, President of Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages
Staying just steps away from the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, built over the Porziuncola, birthplace of the Franciscan Order
Holy Mass in the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi
Veneration of the bones of Saint Francis, exposed for public veneration for the first time in 800 years, accompanied by a Franciscan friar
Visit to the tomb of Saint Carlo Acutis, Assisi’s newest saint
Prayer at the tomb of Saint Clare and before the San Damiano Cross
Holy Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli
Encounter with the legacy of Saint Angela of Foligno, a great mystic and Franciscan tertiary
Wine tasting at a renowned Montefalco Sagrantino winery

Rome Highlights

Holy Mass in the Domus Santa Marta
Papal Audience with Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square
Visit to San Francesco a Ripa in Trastevere, including the cell where Saint Francis stayed in 1209
Father’s Day in Italy on the Feast of Saint Joseph
Attendance at Holy Mass at the Altar of Saint Joseph in St. Peter’s Basilica
Veneration of the tomb of Pope Francis at Saint Mary Major
Visit to the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome
Participation in the Procession and Festival of Saint Joseph near the Vatican
Private tour of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence
Pilgrimage to Genazzano to venerate Our Lady of Good Counsel, a treasured Augustinian devotion
Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica
Scavi Tour and prayer before the bones of Saint Peter
Visit to Saint Paul Outside the Walls and a possible meeting with Cardinal James Harvey
Visit the “first” Vatican, where St. Peter himself lived for seven years
Meet friends of Inside the Vatican magazine during our days together on pilgrimage
Plus, many unexpected stops and encounters along the way

Tour Details & Guidelines

Air Travel:

This pilgrimage is offered as a Land Only Package. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own air travel for the pilgrimage. After you book, you will receive the name and contact information of our recommended travel agent.

Arrival Information:

Airport: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026 (Day 1 of the pilgrimage)
Flight Arrival Time: Before 10:30 AM (Local Time) This arrival time allows approximately one hour to pass through passport control and retrieve baggage before the group transfer.
Transfer: Group transfer from the airport to Assisi

It is strongly recommended that participants consider arriving on Saturday, March 14, 2026, one day before Day 1, Sunday, March 15, 2026, of the pilgrimage. Arriving early allows time to rest and offers greater flexibility in selecting flight options.

For those who choose to arrive before Day 1, we have arranged two designated early-arrival options: one near the airport—the Rome Airport Hilton—and one in Rome, just a short walk from St. Peter’s Basilica—the Grand Hotel Olympic. Any extra nights are the responsibility of the participant. On Day 1, the group transfer will collect participants from both designated early-arrival hotels, in addition to the scheduled group pick-up at the airport.

Departure Information:

Airport: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Date: Sunday, March 22, 2026 (Day 8 of the pilgrimage)
Flight Departure Time: The earliest allowable flight departure time is 10:00 a.m. (local time). Participants who choose to attend the 7:00 a.m. Sunday Mass must schedule flights departing no earlier than 11:00 a.m., to allow sufficient time for transfer to the airport.
Transfers: Two group transfers will be provided from Domus Santa Marta (Vatican City) to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO):

7:00 a.m. transfer — for participants not attending the 7:00 a.m. Mass 8:00 a.m. transfer — for participants attending the 7:00 a.m. Mass

Participation in these group transfers requires that your flight depart at or after 10:00 a.m., or after 11:00 a.m. if attending the 7:00 a.m. Mass.

Recommended Travel Agency: For booking flights, we recommend using an experienced travel agency. They will handle your airline reservations and forward the details to our office, ensuring a seamless process. You will receive the contact information for Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages’ recommended seasoned travel agent in your Welcome Letter, which is sent immediately after you register.

To get an idea of the cost and availability of flights, we recommend using Google Flights as a helpful and simple tool for initial research.

+1 (202) 536-4555

Pilgrimages@InsideTheVatican.com

GETTING STARTED

PILGRIMAGES BY COUNTRY

CUSTOM PILGRIMAGES