Journey Toward The Face of Christ 2026
Nov 5 – Nov 15, 2026
ITALY
DATES
Nov 5 – Nov 15, 2026
PLACE
ITALY
What sets this pilgrimage apart from all others is the unique and exclusive accommodations within Vatican City itself. A rare privilege, this stay places you at the heart of the Church with unparalleled access to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Highlights of the Pilgrimage
Visit Italy’s most sacred and spiritual sites and experience the profound renewal they offer. Here are some of the places we will pilgrimage to:
Assisi
Visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, the Basilica of St. Francis, and the Tomb of St. Carlo Acutis
Florence
Discover the Baptistry, Church of the Holy Cross, and the iconic Duomo (Cathedral) of Florence
Norcia
Visit the Benedictine Monastery and their newly built church
Loreto
Experience the Basilica of the Holy House of Loreto, a revered Marian site
Lanciano
Venerate the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano at the Church of San Francesco
Monte Sant’Angelo
Pray in the mystical Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel
San Giovanni Rotondo
Pray at the Shrine of Padre Pio
Manoppello
Venerate the Holy Face at this significant Shrine, Basilica of the Holy Face, home to the mysterious image of the “Man of Sorrows,” deeply revered for its spiritual significance
Rome
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, St. Mary Major, and St. John Lateran. Explore the first “Vatican,” Marian apparition sites in Rome, a Eucharistic miracle, the Scavi beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, and the revered icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Attend a Papal Audience with Pope Leo
Plus, enjoy many unexpected stops and grace-filled encounters along the way. The pilgrimage is limited to 20 pilgrims, ensuring an unhurried, reflective, and peaceful experience.
Pilgrimage Overview
Day 1: Assisi
- Arrive in Rome and travel to Assisi for a welcome Mass and dinner.
Day 2: Assisi
- Attend Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis
- Tour the Basilica with a Franciscan Friar
- Visit San Rufino, where both St. Francis and St. Clare were baptized.
- Possible meeting with the Bishop of Assisi at his residence
- Venerate at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis
Day 3: Assisi
- Attend Mass at Our Lady of the Angels, the church built over the Porziuncola, which was built by St. Francis
- Visit the Sanctuary of San Damiano
- Partake in a walking tour through the historic center of Assisi
Day 4:Norcia and Loreto
- After breakfast, depart for Norcia
- Visit the Benedictine monks in their monastery
- Lunch in a farm-to-table restaurant overlooking the town of Norcia from the hillside of the Sibilini mountains
- Travel to Loreto and visit the Holy House of Loreto where our friend, Donatella, a native of Loreto, will share the importance of this sacred site.
Day 5: Lanciano, St. Michael’s Cave, San Giovanni Rotondo
- From Loreto, we travel along the Adriatic Coast to venerate the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano
- Continue on to Monte Sant’Angelo and the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel
- Overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo, home of St. Padre Pio
Day 6: San Giovanni Rotondo, Manoppello, Rome
- Visit the Church of St. Mary of Grace, which houses the mortal remains of St. Padre Pio
- Travel to Manoppello and venerate the Holy Face of Manoppello
- Overnight in Rome, at exclusive accommodations inside the Vatican
Day 7: Rome
- Attend the Papal Audience with Pope Leo
- Scavi Tour beneath St. Peter’s Basilica
- Travel to Trastevere and visit the Basilica di Santa Cecilia and the Basilica di Santa Maria
- Enjoy a lovely dinner in Trastevere
Day 8: Rome
- Attend Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
- Travel to the Churches of Sts. Prassedes and Pudentiana
- Visit two of the patriarchal basilicas in Rome: St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran.
- Visit the Holy Stairs near the Basilica of St. John Lateran
- Venerate sacred relics of Jesus’ Passion at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (English: Holy Cross in Jerusalem)
Day 9: Florence
- Day trip to Florence
- Visit many places on our walking tour of Florence: the Baptistery with its elaborate bronze doors by Ghiberti; the Church of the Holy Cross where many nobles are buried, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli and Santa Maria del Fiore, the famous 13th century cathedral (Duomo) of Florence
- Enjoy a guided walking tour with views of Florence the Piazza Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Ponte Vecchio, and Republic Square.
- Lunch in the city center and free time to shop and explore the city on your own
Rome 10: Rome
- Attend Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
- Travel south along the Appian Way
- Visit St. Paul’s-Outside-the-Walls and Tre Fontane where Paul was martyred
- Visit the Grotto of Our Lady of Revelations, a Marian apparition where the miracle of the sun occurred
Day 11: Rome
- After breakfast, our pilgrims will depart, returning to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport
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 Italy Journey to the Face of Christ 2026. After booking, you will receive the name and contact information of our recommended travel agent.
Arrival Information:
- Airport: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
- Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026 (Day 1 of the pilgrimage)
- Flight Arrival Time: Before 10:00 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 Wednesday, November 4, 2026, one day before Day 1, Thursday, November 5, 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 selected a designated early-arrival hotel. Any extra nights are the responsibility of the participant. On Day 1, the group transfer will pick up participants from this designated hotel, along with the group pick-up at the airport.
Departure Information:
- Airport: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
- Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026 (Day 11 of the pilgrimage)
- Flight Departure Time: After 10:00 AM (Local Time)
- Transfer: 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 in St Peter’s Basilica must schedule flights departing no earlier than 11:00 a.m., to allow sufficient time for transfer to the airport.
Two group transfers will be provided from 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 for the pilgrimage.