The Rome Pilgrimage

The Rome pilgrimage is one of the three main pilgrimages, along with the one to the Holy Land and the one to Santiago de Compostela. Furthermore, it was in 1492 that Pope Alexander VI officially declared them as the three main pilgrimages of Christendom.

Pilgrims travel to Rome and the Vatican, often hoping to see the successor of Saint Peter. Today, the Vatican is the leading Catholic pilgrimage site in the world, ahead of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida and the Grotto of Lourdes (which only ranks 4th).

The Pilgrimage via the Via Francigena

The main route of the pilgrimage to Rome is the Via Francigena, attested since 990 by Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the source of the oldest description of this route in 79 stages.

This pilgrimage thus links Canterbury to Rome, passing through France and Switzerland.

It dates from the medieval period, when it had a very important penitential dimension. Indeed, the Pope granted a plenary indulgence to sinners who traveled it. Quickly, several tens of thousands of pilgrims were counted each year.

In the 13th century, several alternative routes were added to the Via Francigena, due to the commercial boom between northern and southwestern Europe. This via then lost its "unique" aspect and was even renamed Via Romea to recall the destination rather than the origin. Pilgrims to Rome are also called romieux or roumieux.

In 1994, this route was marked and recognized by the Council of Europe as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.

The 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage

"Let us help one another to discover this encounter with Christ who gives us life, and let us set out on the journey as pilgrims of hope in order to celebrate life, the coming Jubilee being a stage on this path."

Pope Francis

Since the mid-15th century, instituted by Pope Paul II, a Church Jubilee takes place every 25 years. Thus, in 2025, Christians from all over the world are called to celebrate this Jubilee, invited by Pope Francis to "keep the flame of hope burning".
A great many dioceses are each organizing their own pilgrimage to Rome on this occasion, on different dates and for varying durations.

The Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches

This pilgrimage was instituted by Saint Philip Neri in the 16th century and is one of the oldest Roman traditions. It is a 25-kilometer journey in the heart of Rome, passing through the countryside and the catacombs and, of course, 7 basilicas of the city.

It is made ad limina Apostolorum (to the threshold of the tomb of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul).

It includes the four major basilicas:

1. The Basilica of Saint John Lateran, cathedral of Rome and of the world

2. The Basilica of Saint Peter, in the Vatican, housing the tomb of the first pope

3. The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, on the Via Ostiense, housing the tomb of Saint Paul

4. The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, with the relic of the first nativity scene and the oldest church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To these four basilicas, three important minor basilicas are added:

5. The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, preserving the relics of the Passion of Christ

6. The Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls, housing the tombs of Saint Stephen and Saint Lawrence

7. The Basilica of Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls, housing the tomb of Saint Sebastian, on the Appian Way, above the catacombs.

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