7 Pilgrim Churches – 4-Day Rome Pilgrimage
Follow the historic route of Rome’s 7 Pilgrim Churches on a four-day Catholic pilgrimage inspired by St Philip Neri. The package brings together the four Major Basilicas, three ancient pilgrim basilicas, relics of Christ and the Apostles, the Catacombs of St Sebastian and a final exploration of religious life and vocation. The standard small-group programme begins at 8:45am on Wednesday and runs to Saturday. Private packages can begin on any day, with the same pilgrim experiences reordered around church schedules and the operating days of the individual tours.
Which are the 7 Pilgrim Churches of Rome?
The traditional route established by St Philip Neri includes:
- St Peter’s Basilica
- St Paul Outside the Walls
- St John Lateran
- St Mary Major
- St Lawrence Outside the Walls
- St Sebastian Outside the Walls
- The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem
The first four are Rome’s Major Basilicas. The remaining three preserve powerful connections with the martyrs, relics and ancient pilgrimage traditions of the city.
What is included in the 4-day pilgrimage?
The package combines five guided Crucis experiences:
Across the four days, you visit all seven churches while following the story of Catholic Rome from the Passion and the Apostles through the martyrs, monasticism and the mendicant orders.
The Major Basilicas and their Holy Doors
St Peter’s, St Paul Outside the Walls, St Mary Major and St John Lateran each have a Holy Door. The doors opened for the Jubilee Year of 2025 are now closed, but they remain visible and your guides explain their history, symbolism and role during a Holy Year. The next anticipated Jubilee of the Redemption is in 2033, marking 2,000 years since the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This pilgrimage does not promise entry through closed Holy Doors.
Relics, martyrs and the catacombs
The Via Crucis – Relics of Christ Tour reaches churches associated with relics of the Passion, ending at the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. The Sts Peter & Paul in Chains Tour connects the chains of St Peter with the traditional site of St Paul’s martyrdom and his tomb at St Paul Outside the Walls. On Friday, the route adds St Lawrence Outside the Walls, where St Lawrence and St Stephen the Protomartyr are venerated, and St Sebastian Outside the Walls. At St Sebastian, the pilgrimage descends into the catacombs and explores the memory of the early martyrs and Christian burial in Rome.
St Philip Neri’s pilgrimage route
St Philip Neri used the seven-church pilgrimage as a joyful alternative to the excesses of Roman carnival. His route combined prayer, fellowship, catechesis and physical pilgrimage across the city. Read more about its history in our guide to the 7 Pilgrim Churches of Rome and St Philip Neri. For pilgrims who prefer to book the churches separately, browse the 7 Pilgrim Churches standalone tours.
Departure and private arrangements
The booking form lists the standard small-group departure at 8:45am on Wednesday. Private packages are available on any day and the order of the tours is adjusted accordingly. Church access, catacomb opening and seasonal queues can affect exact timings. For a shorter route, see the Major Basilicas + Relics + Vocation – 3 Day Rome Pilgrimage. To add a day trip to Assisi, choose the Ultimate Pilgrimage – 5 Day Rome Pilgrimage.
Day 1 – (Wednesday) – Morning – Via Crucis – Relics of Christ Tour
| MEETING POINT |
The fountain in front of the entrance of St Mary Major (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) under the large column. (Please note, the front of the basilica faces south-east, away from Via Cavour). Location on Google Maps What3Words: chemistry.ember.braked |
| START |
8.45am meet 15 mins before |
| END |
12:15 pm at the Basilica of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem |
| DURATION |
3-3.5 hours depending on queues |
| DRESS CODE |
Comfortable clothing, covering shoulders and knees |
| INCLUDED |
| Expert Catholic Guide |
See and learn about the Holy Door |
| Taxes |
|
|
| NOT INCLUDED |
| Accommodation |
| Guide tip |
| Transport to/from the pilgrim experience |
|
Day 2 (Thursday) – Morning – St Peter’s Basilica
| MEETING POINT |
Outside Radio Vaticana, Piazza Pia, 3 Location on Google Maps What3Words: adopting.visual.caravan |
| START |
8.45 am meet 15 mins earlier |
| END |
Approximately 11.00am outside the basilica |
| DURATION |
2 hours depending on queues |
| DRESS CODE |
Comfortable clothing, covering shoulders and knees |
| INCLUDED |
| Expert Catholic Guide |
See and learn about the Holy Door |
| Taxes |
|
|
| NOT INCLUDED |
| Accommodation |
| Guide tip |
| Transport to/from the pilgrim experience |
|
Day 2 (Thursday Afternoon) – Sts Peter & Paul in Chains Tour
| MEETING POINT |
To the right of the main entrance of the Basilica of St Peter in Chains (San Pietro in Vincoli), by the statue of Jesus depicted as a beggar.
Location on Google Maps What3Words: lizards.washing.nuns |
| START |
2.45 meet for 3.00pm start |
| END |
6.00pm at the Major Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls |
| DURATION |
3 hours depending on traffic |
| DRESS CODE |
Comfortable clothing, covering shoulders and knees |
| INCLUDED |
| Expert Catholic Guide |
See and learn about the Holy Door |
| Taxes |
Transport between locations |
|
| NOT INCLUDED |
| Accommodation |
| Guide tip |
| Transport to/from the pilgrim experience |
|
Day 3 (Friday) – Afternoon – Basilicas of Sts Sebastian with Catacombs & Lawrence
| MEETING POINT |
In front of the entrance to the Basilica of St Sebastian. Please check carefully the map links below which show the location of the meeting point accurate to 3 square metres. |
| START |
2.45pm meet for 3.00pm start |
| END |
Approximately 6 pm Rome historical centre |
| DURATION |
3 hours depending on traffic |
| DRESS CODE |
Comfortable clothing, covering shoulders and knees |
| INCLUDED |
| Expert Catholic Guide |
Tickets to the Catacombs of St Sebastian |
| Taxes |
Transport between basilicas |
|
| NOT INCLUDED |
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Day 4 (Saturday) – Medieval Rome Walking Tour – Religious Life & Vocation
| MEETING POINT |
Piazza dei Cavallieri di Malta on the Aventine Hill. Location on Google Maps What3Words: took.sofa.december |
| START |
8:45am meet for 9.00am start |
| END |
Approximately midday at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere |
| DURATION |
3 hours depending on queues |
| DRESS CODE |
Comfortable clothing, covering shoulders and knees |
| INCLUDED |
| Expert Catholic Guide |
Tickets to the excavations of St Cecilia |
| Taxes |
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|
| NOT INCLUDED |
| Accommodation |
| Guide tip |
| Transport to/from the pilgrim experience |
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Prepare for Rome’s wider pilgrimage tradition with the Crucis guides to the four Major Basilicas of Rome and the seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome.
Additional information
| Ticket Type | Adult (16+), Student ID, Child (under 16) |
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Tour Reviews
We had a great experience on our 4 days with Crucis Tours – covering the main basilicas of Rome/ all 4 Holy Doors, and a day dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. Our guides Tom and Marco are knowledgeable, engaging, and provided unique insights into the history of the places we visited. At this day and age it is hard to find guides who are not only cognizant of the practicalities of attending Jubilee events but also practicing Catholics attuned to the spirit of pilgrimage. If you are looking for a meaningful experience as a Catholic touring Italy, I would strongly recommend engaging their services!
Originally posted on Google
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