Pilgrimage to Rome

At the beginning of March, Year 5 pupils from across our Trust came together for a memorable pilgrimage to Rome. Children from St Edward’s, St Helen’s and St Joachim's travelled during the second week of Lent to explore the rich Christian history and heritage of the city.

One of the highlights of the visit was attending a papal audience in St Peter’s Square. Thousands of pilgrims from around the world had gathered, and the pupils were thrilled to see Pope Leo XIV in person as he greeted the crowd and shared a message of peace and joy in several languages, including English.

During the trip, the children visited many important sites of the Catholic Church, including the tombs of St Peter and St Paul and the four great basilicas: St Peter’s, St Paul’s Outside the Walls, St John Lateran and St Mary Major. They also celebrated Mass together in several of these sacred places with Fr Dan.

The pilgrimage also included a visit to Assisi, where the pupils learned about the lives of St Francis, St Clare and St Carlo Acutis. In Rome itself, they explored historic landmarks such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, alongside famous sites including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Scala Sancta. Some pupils even climbed to the top of St Peter’s dome for an incredible view across the city.

In just five days the group visited more than a dozen churches and shared many special moments of learning, reflection and prayer. It was a wonderful opportunity for pupils from across our Trust to come together and experience an unforgettable journey of faith.