Where Are the Popes Buried? A Catholic Guide to the Papal Tombs of Rome

St Peter's Basilica and Square in Rome

Where are the popes buried? Most of the surviving papal tombs are in Rome, above all in St Peter’s Basilica. Yet the burial places of the successors of St Peter form a sacred map extending across the Eternal City—from the Vatican Grottoes to St John Lateran, St Mary Major, St Lawrence Outside the Walls, San Clemente and the ancient catacombs.

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How to Plan a Catholic Pilgrimage to Assisi

Catholic pilgrimage to Assisi

Updated 20 August 2026

A Catholic pilgrimage to Assisi brings pilgrims into the city shaped by St Francis, St Clare and centuries of Franciscan prayer. The basilicas, medieval streets, convents and sacred places are not simply reminders of two admired historical figures. They bear witness to lives transformed by Jesus Christ and to a Catholic vocation of poverty, penance, charity and fidelity to the Gospel.

Assisi can be encountered in one focused hour, several hours or a full day. The right choice depends upon whether the principal desire is to pray at the tomb of St Francis, understand the city connected with Francis and Clare, or make a fuller Catholic pilgrimage through the places that formed their lives.

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The Four Major Basilicas of Rome: A Catholic Pilgrim’s Guide

St Peter's Basilica and Square in Rome

Updated 20 August 2026

The four Major Basilicas of Rome are St Peter’s Basilica, the Archbasilica of St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul Outside the Walls. Together they stand at the heart of Catholic Rome, joining the tombs of the Apostles, the Cathedral of the Pope, the Church’s devotion to Our Lady and the living pilgrimage tradition of the Eternal City.

For Catholic pilgrims, these are not simply four famous churches to place on a sightseeing list. Each basilica expresses a distinct part of the Church’s history and identity. Visiting all four creates a coherent pilgrimage through apostolic memory, sacred relics, Catholic worship, mosaics, architecture and the continuity of the Church in Rome.

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San Clemente Rome: Why It Matters to Catholic History

Catholic pilgrimage to Assisi

Updated 20 August 2026

San Clemente in Rome is one of the clearest places in the city to encounter the continuity of Catholic history. Near the Colosseum, a twelfth-century basilica stands above a fourth-century church and first-century Roman buildings. Descending through the complex is therefore not simply an archaeological experience: it is a journey from imperial Rome, through the age of the early Church, into the public and enduring worship of Catholic Rome.

The Basilica of St Clement matters because its layers bring together apostolic memory, persecution, pagan Rome, Christian freedom, sacred art and the veneration of saints. Few churches allow pilgrims to see so vividly how the Catholic faith took root in Rome and remained present through the centuries.

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9 Best Places to Find Latin Mass in Rome

For Catholic pilgrims drawn to the beauty and reverence of the traditional liturgy, attending a Latin Mass in Rome is a deeply moving experience. As the heart of the Catholic Church, Rome offers numerous opportunities to participate in Mass in Latin.

Firstly it is asserted by many that there are two forms of Mass in the Roman Rite. The Novus Ordo / New Rite / Ordinary Form brought in after the Second Vatican Council, and the Pre-Conciliar Mass known as the Tridentine Mass / Old Rite / Extraordinary Form / Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) or sometimes simply “The Latin Mass”. “The Latin Mass” referring to the Old Rite is however a misnomer as the New Rite Mass is often also celebrated in Latin. For the purposes of this article however, we will assume that you are interested in attending the TLM ie the Old Rite (which is always in Latin).

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11 Best Churches to Find Mass in English in Rome

Priest giving Mass in English in Rome

If you’re a Catholic visiting the Eternal City, one of the most meaningful ways to deepen your pilgrimage is by attending Mass. However, for English-speaking pilgrims, especially those unfamiliar with the city, finding a Catholic Mass in English in Rome can be a challenge. Fortunately, this great city is home to more than a few churches and religious communities that offer English-language Masses every day of the week.

In this guide, we at Crucis Tours have compiled a list of the most accessible places to attend Mass in English in Rome, complete with insider tips on schedules, history and locations.

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Where Should Catholics Visit in Rome? – Top 10 Sites for Pilgrims

Where should Catholics visit in Rome? St Peter's Basilica

Holy Door status checked 25 August 2026. The Holy Doors at St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul Outside the Walls closed on 28 December 2025. St Peter’s Holy Door closed on 6 January 2026. The doors remain visible, but pilgrims cannot currently pass through them. The next anticipated Jubilee of the Redemption is in 2033.

“Upon this rock I will build my Church.” Matthew 16:18

Where should Catholics visit in Rome? As bucket-list destinations go, this ancient and magnificent city is in many people’s top ten, but for Catholic pilgrims its not about la cucina italiana and the Colosseum at dusk. The centre of the known world at the time of the early Church, Christians were persecuted here for their faith until the legalisation of Christianity in 313. 13 years later St Helena, mother of emperor Constantine, organised the safe transit of the most sacred relics of the faith from Jerusalem to the heart of the empire – Rome.

Long before that however, Rome was the place where many of the earliest martyrs were born, lived and died, and as the seat of the Pope, it is one of the two great holy cities of the world alongside Jerusalem.

For Catholics, a pilgrimage to Rome is a spiritual odyssey. Many will come with plans to see St Peter’s and the other Major Basilicas, many will come to walk in the footsteps of Saints Peter and Paul, the Pillars of the Church. Some may even seek to attend mass and catch a glimpse of the Pope himself, but none are prepared for the impact that this mind-blowing city has on their lives.

So where exactly should Catholics visit in Rome? We’ve curated the following list, in no particular order, of places that will stir the faith of those who have it buried deep in their heart and will inspire those who already feel close to the Lord. 

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