Wednesday, 7th May 2025 Irish College & Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs

This morning, we will fly from Dublin to Rome and upon arrival meet our driver who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. The Pontifical Irish College, with its wonderful location within walking distance of the Colosseum, attracts visitors and pilgrims who arrive in abundance each year. After free time for lunch, we will celebrate Mass in the college and hear of the history behind the last of many Irish Colleges that were once scattered over Europe. Afterwards, we will walk to the nearby Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs. According to tradition, the Holy Stairs are the steps which led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus Christ climbed on his way to trial. The sanctuary attracts millions of pilgrims each year who wish to honour the Passion of Jesus Christ. As we drive to our hotel, we will catch glimpses of some of the many ancient monuments scattered throughout Rome, evidence that the "Eternal City" has a history and an appeal like no other city in the world.

Thursday, 8th May 2025 Audience with Pope Francis & Opening Mass of ACN International Pilgrimage

We will begin our day with a Morning Audience with Pope Francis In the afternoon we will visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the "Mother Church of all churches" and seat of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis. "Aid to the Church in Need" will be the subject of the testimonies we will hear before participating in the opening Mass of this ACN International Pilgrimage.

Friday, 9th May "Honouring the Martyrs of Our Times"

After breakfast, we will drive to the complex of "St. Paul of the Three Fountains." As we walk along a short treelined avenue, we follow in the footsteps of St. Paul on the way to his martyrdom. We will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Martyrdom of St. Paul, the destination of countless pilgrims who have come for two thousand years to pray at the place where the Apostle was beheaded, giving his life for Christ. Just a short drive away is the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Since 1300, the date of the first Holy Year, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls has been part of the Jubilee itinerary to obtain the indulgence and stands on the site that tradition indicates as that of the burial place of the Apostle Paul. After free time for lunch we will visit the Colosseum, an ancient symbol of Christian Martyrdom. This afternoon we will honour the Christian martyrs - particularly the martyrs of our own time.

Saturday, 10th May Closing Mass of the ACN International Pilgrimage

This morning, we will have time to walk along the quaint cobbled streets of Rome, seeing some of the famous tourist sites including Trevi Fountain and the elegant Piazza Navona - a true symbol of Baroque Rome, with the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers dominating the square. Our morning will conclude with time at leisure for shopping and lunch. The Basilica of St. Mary Major is the largest Catholic Marian Church in Rome and will be the location for the closing Mass of this ACN International Pilgrimage.

Sunday, 11th May St. Peter's Basilica & Church of San Pietro in Montorio

After morning Mass, we will gather with fellow pilgrims for the Angelus in St. Peter's Square. St. Peter's Basilica is without doubt one of the holiest temples of Christendom and home to masterpieces by artists of the calibre of Michelangelo and Bernini amongst countless others. In the afternoon we will have time to visit the basilica and for prayer at the tombs of the great saints; St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII.

Monday, 12th May

This morning, we will drive to the Church of San Pietro in Montorio where we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage. The Church of San Pietro in Montorio is a special place in the history of Ireland: the connection beginning with the Flight of the Earls in 1607, when Hugh O'Neill and Rory O'Donnell ended up in Rome after the Tudor conquest of Ireland. After Mass we will hear of the history behind the church and enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the "Eternal City" before driving to Fiumicino airport for our return flight to Dublin.

Please note that Rome is an ancient city with many cobbled streets and is not suitable for the use of mobile aids or wheelchairs. In addition, due to traffic restrictions in place in Rome, a certain level of walking will be involved.