2027 Franciscan Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome – Information
April 17 to April 26, 2027
Day 1 – Saturday, April 17 – Fly to Rome
- Depart the U.S. on your overnight flight to Rome
Day 2 – Sunday, April 18 – Welcome to Rome (D)
- Land at Rome Fiumicino airport and meet your English-speaking local guide
- Transfer to city center
- Mass at local church
- Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant
- Overnight in Rome
Day 3 – Monday, April 19 – The Vatican, Roman Basilicas (B, D)
- Morning Mass in the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica, where St Francis is believed to have begged for alms for the poor
- After Mass, enjoy a tour of the Basilica with time to see Michelangelo’s Pieta and pray at the tomb of St John Paul II
- Time for lunch
- After lunch, transfer to the Lateran area
- Visit the Basilica of St John Lateran, with time to pray with the relic of the table of the Last Supper
- This Basilica is particularly important in the life of Francis, not only because Francis attended the Fourth Lateran Council, but because he appeared to Pope Innocent III in a dream holding up the crumbling Lateran Basilica, inspiring the Pope to give the Franciscan Order papal approval
- Go across the street to prayerfully climb the Holy Stairs, brought from the Holy Land by St Helena
- Finish the day at the Basilica of the Holy Cross and pray with the Passion relics, a reminder that St Francis shared Christ’s sufferings by bearing the stigmata
- Dinner at a local restaurant
- Overnight in Rome
Day 4 – Tuesday, April 20 – Transfer to Assisi (B, D)
- Morning transfer to Assisi
- Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Porziuncola, the basilica built over the church, or Porziuncola, where St Francis started the Franciscan order and where he died 800 years ago on October 3, 1226
- Time to pray at the Porziuncola and Chapel of the Transitus
- Time to browse the bookstore and have lunch
- Transfer to the hotel to check-in and freshen up
- Dinner at a local restaurant
- Overnight in Assisi
Day 5 – Wednesday, April 21 – Assisi (B)
- Celebrate Mass at the tomb of St Francis or in the Lower Church
- Time to browse the bookstore, pray, and have lunch
- In the afternoon, guided tour of the Basilica of St Francis, the Cathedral of San Rufino, and the Basilica of St Clare
- Time to pray before the San Damiano Crucifix
- Overnight in Assisi
Day 6 – Thursday, April 22 – San Damiano, Carceri Hermitage (B)
- Drive down to the San Damiano Monastery, with Mass
- Time to pray at the chapel or dormitory where St Clare died
- Time for lunch
- Van transfer to the Carceri Hermitage
- Time to pray and reflect at the Hermitage
- Return to Assisi for the evening
- Overnight in Assisi
Day 7 – Friday, April 23 – La Verna (B)
- Enjoy a day trip to La Verna
- Visit the sanctuary, see the cave where St Francis slept, Sasso Spicco where he prayed, the Chapel of the Stigmata, and the other churches in the shrine
- Time to celebrate Mass, pray, and reflect in La Verna
- Participate in the 3pm procession from Santa Maria degli Angeli to the Chapel of the Stigmata
- Return to Assisi for the evening
- Overnight in Assisi
Day 8 – Saturday, April 24 – Assisi (B)
- Enjoy a fully free day in Assisi, with Mass at the Basilica of St Clare (pending availability)
- Overnight in Assisi
Day 9 – Sunday, April 25 – Greccio, Return to Rome(B)
- Depart from Rome, stopping en route in Greccio
- Visit the Hermitage of Greccio and see the first nativity scene in the world developed by St Francis
- If time allows, visit the International Nativity Museum for an immersion in the historical and cultural evolution of crèches
- Attend Mass before continuing on to Rome
- Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
- Overnight in Rome near the airport
Day 10 – Monday, April 26 – Fly home (B)
- Transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport and depart on your journey home
Immaculate Conception Fraternity 