Today in Rome…
Our pilgrims went to a Papal Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, then enjoyed a free day in the city!
Pope Leo XIV leading the Sunday Angelus.
The pilgrims had a free day in Rome, so there was not a talk or homily recorded for the day. View our special edition Opening the Word video for a reflection.
View the exclusive content below:
Archbishop McGovern receiving his pallium from Pope Leo XIV.
Papal Mass from the square of St. Peter’s on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
The pilgrims attended a firework show over the Castel Sant’Angelo in celebration of the Feast of Peter and Paul.
One of the flower decorations all over the Via della Conciliazione for the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Read the daily recap with Joshua Burks:
Friends,
Rome sure knows how to celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. I can only thank God’s good providence for placing our pilgrims in the Eternal city for this Feast.
Today was a free day for our group. This morning I joined a small number of our pilgrims to attend the Papal Mass for Saints Peter and Paul from St. Peter’s Square. It was special to witness Archbishop McGovern of Omaha receive his pallium from the Holy Father. After Mass, we stayed to see and receive a Papal blessing from Pope Leo XIV from his papal palace window at the noon Angelus. Despite the heat, pilgrims from all over the world were gathered to hear and pray with our common papa. What a gift to receive that blessing here in the early weeks of Leo’s pontificate.
This evening, after running into my old professor and boss, Dr. Ted Sri (what a fun surprise!), I led a group to the San Luigi Francesci to observe and to learn about my favorite work of art, “The Calling of St. Matthew” by Caravaggio. A dinner of amazing carbonara and even better fellowship followed.
Public domain image of “The Calling of St. Matthew” by Carravagio.
Lastly, we joined what had be thousands, if not tens of thousands, outside to take in the firework show over the Castel Sant’Angelo in celebration of the Feast of Peter and Paul. The celebration lit up the night sky. Flower decorations lined the Via Della Conciliazione leading up to St. Peter’s Square. It was deeply moving to see a worldwide metropolis still gather to celebrate the Apostles of Jesus and the legacy of the gospel that they left behind in these very streets.
Tomorrow is our final full day on pilgrimage. Please pray for us that the graces of this experience—those already known, those received unknowingly, and those that are yet to blossom—would be received into the fertile soil of our hearts. You will be in my prayers as we process through one final Holy Door tomorrow.
Cheers,
Josh
Leave a Reply