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A Roman Franciscan itinerary for the coming Jubilee

A Franciscan Rosary in the Vatican Square Kristi Blokhin - Shutterstock
A Franciscan Rosary in the Vatican Square Kristi Blokhin - Shutterstock

During the Jubilee Year, Rome will once again become the center of the Western world. Beyond its iconic routes and monuments, the city offers unexpected wonders to those who venture far from the tourist crowds.

San Francisco en Roma
St Francis Preaching before Honorius III, by Giotto

One of these many surprises is the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi in Rome. In the alleys that wind between the Tiber and the Capitoline Hill, where the smell of freshly baked bread still mixes with the incense of the churches, there is a Franciscan Rome. The itinerary once followed by the famous Poverello reveals an unseen face of the Eternal City.

The journey begins in Trastevere, in the heart of Franciscan Rome: the Church of San Francesco a Ripa. Here, in a small cell now converted into a chapel, Francis found refuge during his stay in Rome as the guest of the noblewoman Jacopa de’ Settesoli. Even the stone he used as a pillow has been preserved here, a true testimony of Francis’ austere life.

The church, hidden in the heart of Rome’s most popular district, also houses a masterpiece by Bernini: the statue of the Blessed Ludovica Albertoni, a work worth visiting in itself. In this cloister, the peaceful atmosphere that must have attracted Francis still remains.

Church of San Francesco a Ripa

 

Climbing the monumental staircase (there is a side elevator for those who need it), we reach Santa Maria in Aracoeli. The basilica, which overlooks the political heart of ancient Rome, is linked to one of the most evocative Franciscan traditions. Here, according to tradition, Francis had a vision of an altar surrounded by angels. Today, as tourists flock to the Capitoline Square below, the church offers an oasis in which to admire the frescoes that tell the story of Francis’ life.

Basilica of Saint Mary of the Altar in Heaven

The itinerary continues to St. John Lateran. According to tradition, it was here that Pope Innocent III had a dream in which he saw Francis supporting a collapsing church, a dream he considered ominous and which convinced him to approve Franciscan rule. The Basilica, Rome’s first church and papal cathedral, preserves the memory of this decisive event in its medieval decorations.

Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran

But Franciscan Rome is not only about famous places. Hidden among the buildings of the historic center are small treasures such as the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, where a stone commemorates his preaching, or Santa Maria in Cappella, linked to his ministry among lepers. The city is dotted with smaller but no less significant places that help visitors understand the depth of Francis’ mark on the city.

With the Jubilee of 2025 in mind, these places are preparing to welcome an increasing number of visitors. Restorations and new reception services are transforming these Franciscan itineraries without compromising their peaceful, characteristic atmosphere.

For those who wish to follow in the footsteps of the Poverello, it is advisable to devote at least two days to this itinerary. Early morning is the ideal time to visit these places, when the city is just waking up and the silence allows you to fully appreciate them. Just be sure to book your accommodation well in advance.

As Rome prepares for 2025, these Franciscan places offer a valuable alternative to the traditional tourist routes. These itineraries will help you discover a Rome that, despite the centuries, continues to speak the universal language of hospitality that Francis bequeathed to the Eternal City.

 

San Francesco a Ripa: open daily from 7 am to 12 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Santa Maria in Aracoeli: 9 am – 5.30 pm (winter), 9 am – 7.30 pm (summer).

For guided tours: book at the pilgrim’s office.

Recommended: Comfortable shoes and appropriate “respectful” clothing for visiting churches.

Best time to visit: Spring and Fall

This post is also available in: Español Italiano

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