“Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy!” (Luke 2:10)

Join us for an extraordinary journey to Rome and Florence at Christmas for a peaceful, joyful time in the places where St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. John Paul II walked and bore witness to the Gospel!

Christmas is a wonderful time to be in Rome. The entire city seems to light up with a special joy, and there is even more peace than usual. Little red and white lights flicker on kiosks set up in the lovely Piazza Navona, and the Vatican erects a larger-than-life manger scene in St. Peter’s Square, right next to the ancient obelisk at its center. Roman grandparents stroll with their grandchildren through the piazzas and streets of Rome to view nativity scenes and small displays of local handcrafted toys and other gifts. We will join them. People throughout Rome tend to be more courteous to one another “in the spirit of the season,” and the entire city can actually seem to become a small village. We, too, will become “Roman villagers” at Christmas.

Throughout Italy, every church constructs a presepio (or presepe) — a Nativity tableau which may even include “living” crèche scenes with real people and animals — ranging from charmingly simple to stunningly elaborate. Some include hills, trees, lakes, rivers, angels suspended by wires, the Christmas star, and reproductions of an entire village or the countryside of Bethlehem. Always, the straw-filled manger remains empty until the night of Natale — the birth of Christ.

Christmas time is also a lovely time to visit Florence, the city of art, history, and faith. It’s the season of the city’s Festival of Lights, lively Christmas markets, and a life-size nativity in front of Florence’s magnificent cathedral, the Duomo, and we’ll have the best guide in Florence to help us explore its wonders.

Added to all this is the irreplaceable wealth of experience and insight of your pilgrimage hosts, Deborah Tomlinson, the president of Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages, and Dr. Robert Moynihan, the founder and editor of Inside the Vatican magazine, and the unique beauty and grace each of your fellow pilgrims will bring to your journey. It may well be your most unforgettable Christmas!

Exclusive Accommodations: Staying Inside Vatican City

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 our Christmas 2026 Pilgrimage:

• Attend Christmas Eve Mass with Pope Leo 

• Visit all the major Basilicas of Rome: Basilica of St. Peter, Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and Basilica of St. Mary Major

• Visit the only two Marian apparition sites in Rome 

• Visit the only Eucharistic Miracle in Rome

• Walk through Baroque Rome with the Christmas lights and Christmas markets along the way

• Take a day trip to Florence and stroll the Florentine streets with one of Florence’s best guides

• Venerate the holy icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

• Tour the Scavi beneath St. Peter’s Basilica

• Attend the Angelus and the Urbi et Orbi Christmas Blessing with Pope Leo

• Attend daily Mass, including Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and at the iconic Duomo (Cathedral) of Florence

• 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

The pilgrimage is limited to 20 pilgrims, ensuring an unhurried, reflective, and peaceful experience.

Important Information

1. Deposit: A non-refundable $750 deposit per person is due at registration.
   

2. Walking: This pilgrimage requires some walking. We estimate walking up to 2 miles cumulatively throughout each day. We will do our best to mitigate this for those in need with private drivers and taxis; there may be times when this is not possible. If you have any questions or need additional information about the walking, please contact our office.

3. Due to the unique nature of the accommodations within Vatican City, the following criteria MUST be fulfilled to finalize your registration for this exclusive pilgrimage:

• Registration Interview: A conversation with a representative of Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages is required to ensure that this pilgrimage aligns with both your expectations and the group’s goals. Please contact our office at +1.202.536.4555 to begin this process.

• Special Terms and Conditions: Participation requires adherence to specific guidelines established for guests staying inside the Vatican. An addendum to the pilgrimage Terms and Conditions will be provided for your review and signature.

• Clergy Recommendation: A formal letter of recommendation from your priest or bishop is required. A sample template will be supplied to assist in this process.

• Group Participation: All pilgrims must remain with the group throughout the entirety of the pilgrimage. Independent stays or remaining behind in the Vatican without the group are not permitted, except in cases of emergency.

These steps are designed to preserve the spiritual focus and the unity of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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 Christmas in Italy 2026 Pilgrimage. After booking, you will receive the name and contact information of our recommended travel agent.

Arrival Information:

• Airport: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

• Date: Monday, December 21, 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 your accommodations in Vatican City

It is strongly recommended that participants consider arriving on Sunday, December 20, 2026, one day before Day 1, Monday, December 21, 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: Monday, December 28, 2026 (Day 8 of the pilgrimage)

• Flight Departure Time: After 10:00 AM (Local Time)

• Transfer:  Group transfer from Vatican City to the airport departs at 7:00 a.m., coinciding with the opening of the Vatican gates. This schedule accommodates flights departing at 10:00 a.m. or later. If you choose to extend your stay in Rome, you must vacate your accommodations inside the Vatican by 10:00 a.m. While we will arrange your transportation, participants are responsible for covering the cost in this instance.

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.

If you would like to get an idea of the cost and availability of flights, we suggest checking Google Flights as a helpful and simple tool for initial research.

With more than 33 years of publishing Inside the Vatican magazine, we have colleagues and friends all over the world — and many of them have become part of our Pilgrimage family.

Designing an Inside the Vatican pilgrimage begins with a theme or a particular country; then we weave in encounters with real people who live and work there, as well as those with expert knowledge in its historical and spiritual perspectives. Each day includes the opportunity to attend Mass.

Our itineraries encompass both world-renowned and lesser-known destinations, and every detail is meticulously arranged to create a truly unique experience; we do not offer cookie-cutter pilgrimages. Our pilgrims appreciate that our groups average around 20 pilgrims, allowing for a more personal and prayerful experience. For custom pilgrimages, we may exceed this number.

Contact Information:

Phone: +1.202.536.4555  Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm ET.

Email: Pilgrimages@InsideTheVatican.com.

WhatsApp: +1.540.631.4392

Before you book your trip with us, please read carefully our Terms and Conditions

Important Information  Due to the unique nature of the accommodations within Vatican City, the following criteria must be fulfilled to finalize your registration for this exclusive pilgrimage:

• Registration Interview: A conversation with a representative of Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages is required to ensure that this pilgrimage aligns with both your expectations and the group’s goals. Please contact our office at +1.202.536.4555 to begin this process

• Special Terms and Conditions: Participation requires adherence to specific guidelines established for guests staying inside the Vatican. An addendum to the pilgrimage Terms and Conditions will be provided for your review and signature.

• Clergy Recommendation: A formal letter of recommendation from your priest or bishop is required. A sample template will be supplied to assist in this process.

• Group Participation: All pilgrims must remain with the group throughout the entirety of the pilgrimage. Independent stays or remaining behind in the Vatican without the group are not permitted, except in cases of emergency.

These steps are designed to preserve the spiritual focus and the unity of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Use EARLY when you register on or before June 22, 2026, to receive a $150.00 discount. 

Contact us to inquire about any applicable discounts.

Upon your arrival at Fiumicino Airport, located just west of Rome near the Mediterranean Sea, you will be warmly greeted as you exit the secure area. 

The group transfer will depart from the Rome Fiumicino Airport for Vatican City.

We will gather for lunch and a tour of St. Peter’s Piazza, and we will also visit your accommodations inside the Vatican. You will have time to rest and unpack before we attend Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a welcome dinner. 

Overnight in Rome. Lunch and dinner will be included. 

We will have breakfast, then attend Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a tour of the Scavi underneath the basilica. 

The Scavi Tour beneath St. Peter’s Basilica takes pilgrims deep below the present basilica into the ancient Roman necropolis that once lay on the slope of Vatican Hill. Here, in a remarkably preserved network of streets and tombs dating from the 1st to the 4th centuries, we encounter the earliest layers of Christian Rome.

Excavations began in 1939 during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII. What archaeologists uncovered confirmed an ancient and uninterrupted Christian tradition: that this was the burial place of Saint Peter, the Apostle martyred in Rome.

The tour concludes at the site identified as Peter’s tomb, located directly beneath the high altar of the basilica — a place venerated by Christians for nearly two thousand years. Standing here, pilgrims find themselves at the very heart of the Church’s history, where faith, memory, and martyrdom meet.

From our residence at Domus Santa Marta, it is only a three-minute walk to the entrance of the Scavi, a rare privilege that allows us to move quietly from where we are staying within Vatican City directly to this most ancient and sacred place.

After exploring the Scavi, we will depart for Villa Borghese for Europe’s largest Christmas market. We will walk through Baroque Rome with the Christmas lights and Christmas Markets. Dinner will be on your own before returning to our accommodations in Vatican City.

Set against the backdrop of one of Rome’s most treasured green spaces, Villa Borghese transforms into an enchanting winter wonderland. This seasonal celebration brings together traditional European Christmas markets, artisanal crafts, and festive entertainment within the elegant grounds that have welcomed visitors since the early seventeenth century. The event occupies a carefully curated section of the historic park, allowing guests to wander between wooden chalets and illuminated pathways whilst the umbrella pines and ancient holm oaks provide a distinctly Roman atmosphere. Unlike the crowded commercial centers elsewhere in the city, Christmas World at Villa Borghese offers a more refined approach to seasonal festivities, where the emphasis falls on quality rather than quantity.

Villa Borghese itself deserves recognition as one of Europe’s finest urban parks. Originally designed as a private estate for Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the early 1600s, the grounds encompass formal gardens, romantic English-style landscapes, and neoclassical temples. The Christmas World installation respects this heritage, integrating seasonal decorations with the existing architectural features rather than overwhelming them.

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and lunch are included. Dinner is on your own.

Today, we will pilgrimage to Florence, a journey of about 2.5 hours. Florence (Firenze in Italian), the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, is renowned for its profound influence on Western art and culture. The city’s sacred art and religious buildings beautifully reflect this legacy.

We will visit some of Florence's most iconic churches:

• The Baptistery - famous for its stunning bronze doors created by Lorenzo Ghiberti in the early 15th century, which depict scenes from the Old Testament.

• The Church of the Holy Cross (Basilica di Santa Croce) - where several prominent historical figures are buried, including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Niccolò Machiavelli.

• The Duomo (Cathedral) of Florence - an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance, where we will attend Mass

Afterward, our expert guide from Tuscany will lead us on a walking tour of the city, passing through landmarks such as Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and the picturesque Ponte Vecchio bridge.

The afternoon is free time for lunch and exploring Florence on your own.

In the late afternoon, we will depart Florence for Rome, returning to your accommodations inside the Vatican.

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and Dinner are included. Lunch is on your own.

Today, we will visit the incredible nativities near the Vatican.

You will have the afternoon to spend at your leisure. 

We will attend Christmas Eve Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter with Pope Leo. 

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and Lunch are included. Dinner is on your own.

Today, we celebrate the great feast day, the Nativity of Our Lord.  We begin with Mass in English at the Basilica of Santo Spirito in Rome, the Divine Mercy Church. Afterward, we will attend Pope Leo’s Urbi et Orbi message and blessing in St. Peter’s Piazza.  

Christmas lunch will be at a favorite restaurant near the Vatican. In the afternoon, we will have a walking tour of Baroque Rome, including the Basilica of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, which has a very special side chapel. It is especially notable because of widespread devotion to the Miraculous Medal; many people travel from all over the world to Rome just to visit this shrine and pray at its side altar. In 1842, Our Lady appeared here to Alphonse Ratisbonne, an openly anti-Catholic Jew, manifesting herself exactly as she appears on the Miraculous Medal and converting him through a miracle.

The first Miraculous Medals were struck in 1832 and, while the Miraculous Medal devotion was already circulating throughout France after St. Catherine Labouré’s Marian apparition, it was this miraculous apparition to Ratisbonne which provided the impetus to bring the Miraculous Medal devotion to Italy. This special chapel is also where St. Maximillian Kolbe offered his first Mass on April 29, 1918.

We will also visit the Chapel of Mater Admirabilis near the Spanish Steps.

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

We begin the day with Mass at St. Peter's Basilica before traveling to the Churches of Sts. Prassedes and Pudentiana. These two sisters were the daughters of St. Pudens, a Roman senator who was converted and baptized by St. Paul. It is believed that St. Paul stayed in their home during his time in Rome. St. Paul mentions Pudens in his Second Letter to Timothy, chapter 4, verses 19-22: “Final Greeting: Greet Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus.  Erastus remained in Corinth, while I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.  Try to get here before winter.  Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers send greetings. The Lord be with your spirit.  Grace be with all of you.”

The Church of St. Pudentiana is also the site of a Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in 1610, adding to its significance as a place of great devotion.

Next, we will visit two of the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome: St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. Both of these basilicas are extraordinary monuments to the Catholic faith, housing art and relics that inspire awe and reverence.

At St. Mary Major, we will see the famous Salus Populi Romani icon, a painting of Mary that is traditionally believed to have been painted by St. Luke. It is considered the oldest known depiction of the Virgin Mary and is venerated as the Protectress of the Roman People.

A short distance away, we will visit the Church of San Alfonso, a beautiful Victorian-Gothic structure. Here, we will view the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, displayed above the altar in the sanctuary, beneath a stunning mosaic of the Holy Family. This icon has a long history of miraculous intercession.

Our journey continues to St. John Lateran, the oldest and first among the four Papal basilicas of Rome. As the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), St. John Lateran is the spiritual seat of the papacy and holds great historical significance, having served as the papal residence for centuries.

We will also visit the Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta), located near St. John Lateran. These steps are believed to be the stairs that Pontius Pilate had Jesus ascend in Jerusalem during His trial. In the 4th century, St. Helena brought these sacred steps to Rome, where they remain a site of devotion and pilgrimage.

Nearby, we will visit the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross in Jerusalem), which houses several important relics from the Passion of Christ. Among these relics are thorns from Christ’s crown, nails from His cross, and the titulus—the inscription Pilate ordered to be placed above Jesus’ head at His crucifixion. This basilica is a place of profound reverence, and we will have the opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and Dinner are included. Lunch is on your own.

We will attend Mass in English at the Divine Mercy Church in Rome, the Basilica of Santo Spirito. Afterward, we will walk to St. Peter’s Piazza to pray the Angelus with Pope Leo. 

Next, we will travel south of Rome along the historic Appian Way towards the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where the tomb of St. Paul is enshrined. This basilica is dedicated to St. Paul, who was beheaded in Rome.

The Appian Way is one of the oldest and most important roads of ancient Rome, stretching from the city to the heel of Italy. Time permitting, we will also pass by the Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, and, if possible, visit the Domine Quo Vadis Church, where Christ appeared to St. Peter, urging him to return to Rome to continue his preaching and eventually face martyrdom.

Next, we will visit the Church of St. Paul at the Three Fountains (Chiesa del Martirio di San Paolo alle Tre Fontane), one of the oldest churches in Rome, marking the site of St. Paul’s martyrdom. According to tradition, because St. Paul was a Roman citizen, he was beheaded rather than crucified. It is said that as his head struck the ground three times, springs of water appeared at each spot. Inside the church, we will see the pillar where St. Paul is believed to have been bound before his execution.

If the gatekeeper is available, we may have the opportunity to venerate the pillar. The original church was built in the 5th century, but the current structure dates from the 16th century. We will also visit the prison cell where St. Paul was held before his martyrdom, located in the crypt of another church on the grounds. These grounds are peaceful and reverent, offering a quiet space for prayer.

Our next encounter will be at the site of the Grotto of Our Lady of Revelations, the site of an extraordinary apparition in 1947. Here, Our Lady appeared to Bruno Cornacchiola, a bitter anti-Catholic, and revealed profound truths about salvation. During the apparition, Our Lady encouraged Bruno to turn to her in times of doubt and despair. This moment of grace led Bruno to a profound conversion, returning to the Catholic faith and becoming an evangelist. The site has been the location of two reported miracles of the sun, similar to the famous Fatima phenomenon, which occurred on the 33rd and 35th anniversaries of the apparition.

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and Dinner are included.  Lunch is on your own.

After breakfast, we will transfer to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for your return journey home. Our departure is scheduled for 7:00 AM.

As we say farewell, we bid a heartfelt goodbye to all our fellow pilgrims and friends. Until we meet again...