Rome
Where Peter and Paul died and are buried, with the Pope's own cathedral, the four papal basilicas and the catacombs of the martyrs
Rome is built around two tombs. Saint Peter was buried on the Vatican hill and Saint Paul on the Ostian Way, and the Church has gone to both graves ever since. Along the roads out of the city lie the catacombs and the graves of the martyrs, and Rome's holiness is above all the holiness of witness unto blood. The Pope is the bishop of Rome, so his own cathedral is Saint John Lateran, not Saint Peter's Basilica. Pilgrims come for the apostles' tombs at Saint Peter's and Saint Paul Outside the Walls, for the other papal basilicas, for the catacombs and for the Wednesday audience with the Pope. The 2025 Jubilee brought more than 33 million pilgrims, and its Holy Doors were closed between December 2025 and January 2026. Rome keeps its own devotions too, among them the Mass at a different ancient church each day of Lent, the Seven Churches walk and the Holy Stairs climbed on the knees.
Fly over Rome in 3DA tour of the Eternal City's holiest sitesStart the tourTop sites
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The Saints of Rome
Saint PeterThe first pope, held to have been crucified in Nero's circus on the Vatican hill and buried there. His tomb lies under the high altar of Saint Peter's, and his chains are kept in Saint Peter in Chains.
Saint PaulThe apostle of the nations, who lived under house arrest in Rome, where tradition places his lodging near Saint Mary in Via Lata, and was beheaded on the Ostian Way. Tradition places his death at the Three Fountains and his tomb under the altar of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
Saint Agnes of RomeA girl martyred under Diocletian, buried on the Via Nomentana, where her basilica is entered by a long stair and a catacomb lies beside it. Sant'Agnese in Agone on Piazza Navona marks the place of her death.
Saint CeciliaA Roman martyr whose body was found in 1599 and is shown in Maderno's statue in her church in Trastevere. She was first buried in the Callixtus catacombs.
Saint Lawrence of RomePope Sixtus II's archdeacon, who was killed on August 10, 258 and buried on the Via Tiburtina. Constantine built the first basilica over his grave.
Saint SebastianA soldier martyred under Diocletian and buried on the Appian Way, where the basilica and catacomb bear his name. Peter and Paul were also honored on this site in the third century.
Saint HelenaConstantine's mother, who by tradition brought the relics of the Passion and the Holy Stairs from Jerusalem. Her palace chapel became Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and her mausoleum stands at the catacomb of Saints Marcellinus and Peter.
Saint Gregory the GreatPope from 590 to 604, who fed and governed Rome, led the plague procession of 590 and sent Augustine to England. His monastery stood on the Caelian hill.
Saint Philip Neri
The Apostle of Rome, who came as a pilgrim in 1534, founded the Oratory, revived the Seven Churches walk and is buried in the Chiesa Nuova.
Saint Ignatius of LoyolaFounder of the Jesuits, who governed the order from Rome until his death in 1556. His tomb is in the Gesù and his rooms are beside it.
Saint Catherine of SienaThe Dominican laywoman who persuaded the pope to return from Avignon, died in Rome in 1380 and is buried under the high altar of the Minerva.
Saint Frances of RomeA Roman wife, mother and widow who served the poor and founded the Oblates in 1425. She is buried in the church in the Forum that bears her name.
Saint John Paul IIThe pope who visited 317 Roman parishes and made Santo Spirito in Sassia the center of Divine Mercy devotion. He is buried in Saint Peter's.
Saint Carlo AcutisThe teenager canonized with Pier Giorgio Frassati by Pope Leo XIV in Saint Peter's Square on September 7, 2025.
Saint Aloysius GonzagaA Jesuit student who died on June 21, 1591 after nursing plague victims and is buried in Saint Ignatius.
Saint MonicaSaint Augustine's mother, who died at Ostia in 387 and whose body lies in the church of Saint Augustine near Piazza Navona.
Beyond the churches
Views, walks and the town between the churches.
The Trevi Fountain and where the coins go
Rome collects the coins thrown into the Trevi Fountain, about 1.4 to 1.7 million euros a year, and gives them to Caritas, the Catholic Church's own charity. Caritas has received them since 1971 and uses them for soup kitchens, shelters and a free supermarket for the poor. Since February 2, 2026 a separate ticket of 2 euros is charged to go down to the basin, which is not the coin money. The square itself is free, and the basin is free after 22:00 and for residents of Rome, children under six and disabled visitors with a companion.
Itineraries
See allIn Rome
1 day · 5 sitesHalf a Day in Rome at Saint Peter'sMass at the tomb of Saint Peter, the Grottoes and the walk to the river
1 day · 5 sitesSunday Mass and the Angelus in RomeEnglish Mass, the noon blessing and the Appian Way on a car free afternoon
1 day · 5 sitesThe Feast of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome 2027
2 days · 8 sitesMarian Rome
2 days · 8 sitesThe Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome on Your Own
2 days · 6 sitesThe Wednesday General Audience in Rome
2 days · 10 sitesTwo Days in Rome: Vatican and Lateran
3 days · 13 sitesRome with Children: Three Days
3 days · 9 sitesRome with Limited Mobility: Three Days
3 days · 6 sitesThe Lenten Station Churches of Rome 2027
3 days · 15 sitesThree Days in Rome
5 days · 10 sitesChristmas to Epiphany in Rome 2026 and 2027
5 days · 25 sitesFive Days in Rome: A First Pilgrimage
8 days · 16 sitesHoly Week and Easter in Rome 2027
4 days · 13 sitesRome's Sacred Art
1 day · 5 sitesOne Day in Catholic Rome
2 days · 10 sitesRome and the Early Martyrs
Day trips from Rome
Longer trips
Collections
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7 sitesThe Seven Pilgrim Churches of RomeThe one day walk of prayer and penance that Philip Neri revived
10 sitesEarly Christian RomeConstantine's foundations and the house churches of the first Christians
4 sitesRelics of the Passion in RomeWhere the Cross, the scourging pillar and Pilate's stairs are venerated
12 sitesMarian Icons of RomeThe venerated images of Our Lady in Rome's churches and shrines
9 sitesThe Catacombs and Martyrs of RomeUnderground cemeteries and the basilicas built over the martyrs' graves
7 sitesThe Major Basilicas of RomeThe papal basilicas and the three churches that complete the seven
6 sitesSaint Francis Beyond AssisiRome, Cortona and La Verna, the places his journeys took him
5 sitesSaint Francis From Rome to AssisiPapal approval and a hospice cell in Rome, then the crib and the tomb
3 sitesThe Holy Face: Rome and ManoppelloVeronica's veil, an image not made by hands and a veil in Abruzzo
8 sitesEarly Christian Mosaics of RomeGold apses and vaults from the 300s to the 1100s, within a short walk
2 sitesEastern Catholic Churches in RomeByzantine and Ukrainian liturgies in communion with the Pope
6 sitesCatholic Rome in EnglishWhere to pray, confess and belong when you speak English
11 sitesWhere the Orders Began in RomeDominicans on the Aventine, Jesuits at the Gesù, Oratorians at the Chiesa Nuova
3 sitesSaint John Paul II in RomeHis tomb, the square where he was shot and the Divine Mercy sanctuary
7 sitesChurches Built on Top of RomeTemples, houses, prisons and older basilicas under the altar, with San Clemente as the best example
6 sitesRome's Living Pilgrim TraditionsNight walks, Lenten stations, the Holy Stairs and evening prayer Romans keep
4 sitesWhere Mothers Pray in RomeFrom Monica's tomb to the Madonna del Parto
11 sitesNational Churches of RomeWhere French, German, Spanish and other pilgrims have long prayed
4 sitesThe Pallium Trail in RomeHow lambs' wool becomes an archbishop's sign of office
6 sitesSaint Paul in RomeFrom his house arrest to his martyrdom and the tomb on the Ostian Way
8 sitesSaint Peter in RomeFrom the house where he lodged to the grave beneath the dome
7 sitesRooms of the Saints in RomeWhere Ignatius, Philip Neri, Catherine of Siena and others lived and died
4 sitesRome Spared, 1943 and 1944The churches of the vow Romans made to Our Lady of Divine Love
4 sitesWhere the Christmas Crib Began in RomeRelics from Bethlehem, the oldest carved Nativity and a Child children write to
9 sitesWomen Martyrs and Saints of RomeThe churches of Agnes, Cecilia, Helena, Frances of Rome and Catherine of Siena
9 sitesHidden Gems of Rome: Churches Most Visitors MissNine churches the usual routes pass by, from a round church modeled on the Holy Sepulchre to a church built from Roman temples
Featured Events
Good to know
Possibly. The North American College's Visitors' Office says (page read October 28, 2026) that couples married in the Catholic Church may often sit in a special section near the Pope, but a place is not guaranteed. The couple must have been married three months or less on the audience date, carry a copy of the marriage certificate signed by the priest or deacon, and wear wedding clothes. The Pope blesses them with the crowd at the end. A framed blessing for a wedding is a different thing, issued only by the Apostolic Almonry.
Article · 7 minNewlyweds, Blessing Parchments and Blessed Rosaries in RomeReadSend a request through the form on the basilica's website, basilicasanpietro.va, as early as you can, because only about 250 people a day are admitted and high season books out months ahead. You will get an email with a date and time and then a link to pay, 20 euros or 14 euros for ages 10 to 17. Children under 10 are not admitted.
Article · 6 minThe Scavi Tour: Saint Peter's TombReadNo. The Holy Doors of the four papal basilicas were closed between December 25, 2025 and January 6, 2026, and the Pilgrim's Card and the Jubilee app no longer apply. Saint Peter's is open to everyone in the ordinary way. The next ordinary Holy Year is 2050, and Pope Leo XIV has invited Christians toward a Jubilee of the Redemption in 2033, which has not been formally proclaimed.
Article · 6 minThe Holy Doors and the Jubilee After 2025ReadUrbi et Orbi, Latin for "to the city and to the world," is the most solemn papal blessing, given at noon on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday from the central loggia of Saint Peter's. No ticket is needed. The Visitors' Office of the North American College lists the usual conditions for the indulgence: confession, Mass and Communion within about a week, prayer for the Pope's intentions and no attachment to sin. The Prefecture's calendar, read October 28, 2026, lists it on December 25 at 12:00.
Article · 6 minThe Urbi et Orbi Blessing and Indulgences in RomeReadEntry is free. The basilica's official site, read October 28, 2026, says that only visitors who want to guarantee entry at a set time need to book online, for a fee that includes a digital audio guide, listed at 7 euros. The booking gives you a set time and, the Basilica's FAQ says, a dedicated entrance route (read October 28, 2026). Everyone still passes the State Police security check, which can back up in busy periods. From October 26, 2026 to March 28, 2027 the basilica is open 07:00 to 19:00. Pilgrims who come to pray or for Mass use a separate free route, and the basilica is closed to visitors on audience mornings until the audience ends.
Article · 9 minVisiting Saint Peter's BasilicaReadCover your shoulders and knees. The Vatican, including Saint Peter's, the Museums and the Scavi, turns away sleeveless tops, shorts above the knee and miniskirts, even with a ticket. A light scarf in the bag covers bare shoulders. Other Roman churches post the same rule but enforce it less strictly. Sightseeing stops during Mass.
Article · 7 minWhat to Wear and Pack in RomeReadSaint Patrick's American Church near Via Veneto has Mass in English every day, with the Sunday Masses at 09:00 and 10:30. The Divine Mercy sanctuary of Santo Spirito in Sassia, three blocks from Saint Peter's, has one on Sunday at 09:00. Saint Peter's always has a confessor who hears confessions in English, and the Lateran and Saint Mary Major usually do.
Article · 7 minMass and Confession in English in RomeReadFrom Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train runs nonstop to Termini station in about 32 minutes. A licensed taxi charges a fixed fare of 55 euros to anywhere inside the old city walls. From Ciampino there is no train, and coach shuttles to Termini take about 40 minutes. Ignore drivers who approach you in the terminal.
Article · 7 minFrom the Airport or Cruise Port to RomeReadYes for the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine, which sell timed tickets starting 30 days ahead, and yes for the Galleria Borghese, where every ticket needs a booked slot. Buy Vatican Museums tickets only on the official site. Entry to Saint Peter's is free, and the Pantheon costs 7 euros. The Roma Pass does not cover the Vatican.
Article · 9 minBooking the Colosseum, Borghese and Other TicketsReadThree days is the most common pilgrim stay. It fits Saint Peter's with the Scavi, the Museums, the other three papal basilicas, the Holy Stairs and one catacomb. Four or five days are recommended for a first pilgrimage, with one major site per half day, a free afternoon and room for a day trip such as Assisi. Two nights is the bare minimum.
Article · 8 minHow Many Days Do You Need in Rome?ReadRome is safe by day, and in the center at night, for solo travelers as well. Pickpockets are the main risk, above all on buses 40 and 64 to the Vatican and on Metro Line A at Spagna, Termini and Ottaviano. Keep bags in front of you. Buy tickets only on official sites, because touts outside the Museums sell worthless tours.
Article · 7 minIs Rome Safe? Scams and Rules to KnowReadRome works with children if you plan one major site per half day. Children enjoy the catacombs, and teenagers can climb Saint Peter's dome. The Scavi admits children from age 10 only. Distances between the four papal basilicas are long, so use the metro and buses between them and walk in the center.
Article · 7 minRome With Children or Limited MobilityReadFive catacombs matter most to pilgrims: Saint Callixtus, Saint Sebastian, Domitilla, Priscilla and Saints Marcellinus and Peter. All are guided visits only, and Priscilla requires booking for everyone. The first three are within a short walk of each other on the Appian Way and close on different weekdays, Wednesday, Monday and Tuesday, so at least two are open every day.
Article · 8 minVisiting the Catacombs of RomeReadBook only on tickets.museivaticani.va, the one official seller. The Museums' official pages, read October 28, 2026, list 20 euros at the desk and 25 euros with online booking, which adds a timed entry. The Sistine Chapel is the last room of the route and has no separate ticket. The Museums are open Monday to Saturday 08:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 18:00, and closed on Sundays except the free last Sunday of the month. Seeing Saint Peter's the same day is possible, but allow time to walk around the Vatican walls, since the shortcut from the Chapel into the basilica is reserved for official guided groups.
Article · 8 minVisiting the Vatican Museums and Sistine ChapelReadUse eventi.pontificalisdomus.va for papal events, basilicasanpietro.va for Saint Peter's and the Scavi, tickets.museivaticani.va for the Museums, elemosineria.va for blessing parchments and pnac.org/visitorsoffice for the North American College's Visitors' Office at Via dell'Umiltà 30. Sites with similar names charge more for the same tickets.
Article · 8 minOfficial Websites and Offices for Pilgrims in RomeReadCatholic stays
Rome has more religious guesthouses than any other city, run by sisters, orders and dioceses. They fall into three kinds: convent guesthouses with a curfew, larger casa per ferie, meaning holiday houses, with hotel-style hours, and priests' houses open only to clergy and their relatives. Most take bookings by email, and several do not accept credit cards. The houses nearest Saint Peter's suit an early start, and those near Termini suit Saint Mary Major, the Lateran and the trains.
Article · The full guide to every stay · 7 min readStaying in a Convent or Religious Guesthouse in RomeHouses run by sisters and dioceses near Saint Peter's, the center and Termini: curfews, cash, Mass and how to bookRead the guideArticles
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PracticalAttending a Papal Mass or Canonization in Rome7 min read- PlanningBooking the Colosseum, Borghese and Other Tickets9 min read
Feasts and seasonsChristmas in Rome8 min read
Visiting sitesClimbing the Scala Santa6 min read
Finishing the Via Francigena in Rome5 min read
Visiting sitesFree Tours with North American College Seminarians in Rome5 min read- Getting aroundFrom the Airport or Cruise Port to Rome7 min read
Getting aroundGetting Around Rome: Walking, Metro, Buses and Strikes9 min read
Feasts and seasonsHoly Week and Easter in Rome8 min read- PlanningHow Many Days Do You Need in Rome?8 min read
- PlanningIs Rome Safe? Scams and Rules to Know7 min read
Mass and sacramentsLatin Mass, Eastern Rites and Adoration in Rome6 min read- Mass and sacramentsMass and Confession in English in Rome7 min read
PlanningMoney, Tipping, Food and Water in Rome8 min read
Naples as a Day Trip From Rome3 min read- PracticalNewlyweds, Blessing Parchments and Blessed Rosaries in Rome7 min read
- PlanningOfficial Websites and Offices for Pilgrims in Rome8 min read
Pilgrim Day Trips From Rome Without a Car8 min read- PlanningRome With Children or Limited Mobility7 min read
PracticalSeeing the Pope in Rome: Audience, Angelus and Castel Gandolfo8 min read- StayingStaying in a Convent or Religious Guesthouse in Rome7 min read
PlanningThe Best Time to Visit Rome and What Is Closed8 min read- PracticalThe Holy Doors and the Jubilee After 20256 min read
Feasts and seasonsThe Lenten Station Churches of Rome8 min read- Visiting sitesThe Scavi Tour: Saint Peter's Tomb6 min read
The Seven Churches Walk and the Divine Love Night Walk8 min read- PracticalThe Urbi et Orbi Blessing and Indulgences in Rome6 min read
- Visiting sitesVisiting Saint Peter's Basilica9 min read
- Visiting sitesVisiting the Catacombs of Rome8 min read
Visiting sitesVisiting the Pantheon5 min read
Visiting sitesVisiting the Popes' Tombs in Rome5 min read- Visiting sitesVisiting the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel8 min read
What to See in Catholic Rome Beyond the Big Four8 min read- PlanningWhat to Wear and Pack in Rome7 min read
Where to Buy Rosaries and Religious Goods in Rome5 min read
PlanningWhere to Stay in Rome as a Pilgrim8 min read
PracticalWhat to Wear in Italian Churches: the Dress Code6 min read
Phrases
Keep exploring
City guideAssisi130 km away
City guideSiena185 km away
City guideNaples190 km away
Day walkSeven Pilgrim Churches7 sites in Rome
Day walkNight Pilgrimage to Divino Amore2 sites in Rome
Saint Peter11 sites in Rome
Saint Paul7 sites in Rome
The Passion of Christ7 sites in Rome
Sacred Heart of Jesus5 sites in Rome
Saint Lawrence of Rome5 sites in Rome
Saint Sylvester I4 sites in Rome
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