God is Full of Life

A Pilgrimage to Italy

Fall 2025

About

Join Bishop Kevin Rhoades and experience the fullness of life and the beauty of the Catholic Church on a tour of Italy, including Rome, Loreto, Assisi, Florence, Siena, and Orvieto. Handcrafted by Verso Ministries, this pilgrimage is designed for inspiring encounters with the Pope and Catholic sites, incredible walks through history, and the best food, wine, and lodging.

This pilgrimage has been rescheduled for Fall 2025. Dates to be announced soon. Please contact hello@versoministries.com for more information.

Trip Details

Group Type

Private, Bishop Rhoades and friends, 20-45 pilgrims

Activity Level

Moderate

Length

13 days, 12 nights

Accommodations

Standard

Cost

As low as

$4,978

Deposit:

$500

What's Included

Dedicated pilgrimage director, supplemented by local guides
Airport and hotel transfers (if arriving/departing during designated hours)
Verso pilgrimage booklets and pilgrim kits
Daily Mass
Private transportation on motor coach
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Standard accommodations in double-occupancy rooms
Meals as indicated on itinerary, including wine at dinners
Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals
Audio headsets

Itinerary

September 22
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. (flights not included in the package)
September 23
Rome
  • Arrive in Rome
  • The Pilgrimage will begin at 1:00p.m. with a tour of Coliseum
  • Opening Mass at San Clemente Church, followed by panoramic tour of Rome by bus
  • Welcome Dinner
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Ergife Palace or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
September 24
St. Peter's Basilica, The Tomb of St. Peter, The Vatican Museum
  • Morning Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica (in the crypt), free time to explore the Basilica, Sacrament of Reconciliation, or climb the cupola
  • Discover the excavations underneath St. Peter’s on the Scavi tour (pending availability)
  • Late afternoon entrance to visit the Vatican Museums with visit to Sistine Chapel
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Ergife or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
September 25
St. Peter's Square, Rome Churches
  • Papal audience in St. Peter’s Square (pending the Holy Father’s schedule)
  • Visit and Mass at Pontifical North American College
  • Walk through city center on a tour of Roman churches – Sant’ Agostino, San Luigi dei Francesi, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Sant’ Ignazio, Gesu
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Egrife or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
September 26
Basilicas of Rome, Catacombs, Basilica of the Holy Cross
  • Tour the Christian catacombs with Mass, followed by visit to St. Paul Outside the Walls
  • Journey to Saint John Lateran and Saint Mary Major basilicas
  • Pray with the Passion Relics at the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and on the “Holy Stairs”
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Egrife or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
September 27
Loreto, Basilica della Santa Casa, house of the Virgin Mary
  • Transfer to
    Loreto
  • Visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica della Santa Casa and see the house of the Virgin Mary
  • Overnight in Loreto
  • Accommodations: Hotel San Francesco or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
September 28
Assisi, Basilica of St. Mary and the Angels
  • Transfer to Assisi
  • Visit the Basilica of St. Mary and the Angels and celebrate Mass in the Porziuncola
  • Tour the Basilica of St. Clare to view the original San Damiano Crucifix
  • Overnight in Assisi
  • Accommodations: BV Grand Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
September 29
Assisi, Basilica of St. Francis
  • All day tour of Assisi, including Mass and visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, the final resting place of St. Francis and home to the famous Giotto frescoes
  • Then visits to several other sites associated with Sts. Francis and Clare, including the Church of San Damiano, Santa Maria Maggiore (including the opportunity to venerate Blessed Carlo Acutis), and the Cathedral of San Rufino
  • Transfer to Florence
  • Overnight in Florence
  • Accommodations: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
September 30
Florence
  • Celebrate Mass within and tour the “Duomo” (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
  • Appreciate the Romanesque style of the Florence Baptistry and catch a glimpse of the iconic Giotto’s Campanile and the Signoria Square
  • Visit the Accademia Gallery to view Michaelangelo’s famous sculpture, “David”
  • Accommodations: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
October 1
Florence
  • Morning visit to the Uffizi Gallery
  • Visit Santa Croce, including Mass,  and San Marco Church and Museum
  • Overnight in Florence
  • Accommodations Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
October 2
Siena
  • Transfer to Siena to tour several of the most notable churches in Siena, including the Cathedral to celebrate Mass
  • See the burial place of St. Dominic and the head of St. Catherine of Siena at the Basilica of St. Dominic
  • Visit the Eucharistic Miracle of Siena in the Basilica of Saint Francis
  • Overnight in Siena
  • Accommodations: Four Points by Sheraton Siena or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
October 3
Orvieto, Rome
  • Visit Orvieto in route to Rome to visit the breath-taking Duomo of Orvieto and the Eucharistic miracle of Bolsena
  • Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral (Chapel of the Corporal)
  • Transfer to Rome
  • Group farewell dinner in Rome
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Ergife Palace or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
October 4
Departure
  • Transfer to airport and depart Rome (flights not included in the package)
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Led by

Group Leader & Chaplain
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades_Verso Ministries_Italy 2024 Pilgrimage
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades
Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (Indiana)

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades was ordained a priest of the Harrisburg Diocese on July 9, 1983. In 1985, Bishop Rhoades attended the Gregorian University in Rome, earning advanced degrees in dogmatic theology and canon law. In 1995, he accepted a full-time faculty position with Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary where he taught courses in systematic theology, canon law, and Hispanic ministry. In March 1997, Bishop Rhoades was named rector of Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, which he fulfilled until his appointment as a bishop.
Kevin Rhoades was ordained a bishop on December 9, 2004, and began his ministry as Bishop of Harrisburg. Bishop Rhoades was appointed the Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend on November 14, 2009, and installed on January 13, 2010.
Presently, Bishop Rhoades serves as Chair of the USCCB Committee on Doctrine, as a member of the USCCB Administrative Committee, of the USCCB Committee on Religious Liberty, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Catholic Relief Services. Bishop Rhoades is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Our Sunday Visitor. He also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Ave Maria University, the Episcopal Advisory Board of the Theology of the Body Institute, the Bishops’ Advisory Council of the Institute for Priestly Formation, the Advisory Board of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors, the Advisory Board of the Augustine Institute, the Episcopal Advisory Board of the Catholic Leadership Institute and Episcopal Moderator of the Society of Catholic Scientists.

Pricing

As low as

$4,978

Package Cost

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$988/person
Travel protection
Quotation provided upon request*

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Travel protection premium is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International”

Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals and beverages not indicated on itinerary
  • Drinks at meals, other than wine at dinners
  • Recommended travel protection
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Designated arrival and departures times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: September 23, 2024
    • Arrival time: By 12:00 p.m.
    • Arrival airport: Leonardo da Vinci Rome International Airport (FCO)
    • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred in one group from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport to the hotel.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: October 4, 2024
    • Departure time: At or after 11:00 a.m.
    • Departure airport: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred in one group from the hotel to the airport at 7:30 a.m.

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times?

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Private transfer information and pricing can be found in the Additional Information section below.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

Standard Accommodations

  • Rome: Hotel Ergife Palace or similar
  • Loreto: Hotel San Francesco or similar
  • Assisi: BV Grand Hotel Assisi or similar
  • Florence: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similar
  • Siena: Four Points by Sheraton Siena or similar

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times at the Rome airport, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Arriving early or staying late? Pre-stay and post-stay options

 

Additional services

  • Half-day tour of Rome
    • Without transportation – $403/group (up to 7 pax)
    • With transportation – $1,138/group (up to 7 pax)
  • Full-day tour of Rome
    • Without transportation – $619/group (up to 7 pax)
    • With transportation – $1,570/group (up to 7 pax)
  • Please note: Tips, meals, and entrance fees are not included in price

There is no extension for this pilgrimage. Please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396 with any questions or special requests.

Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
Final balance due 120 days prior to departure – Final balance

Please note: Payment plans can be arranged if needed. Please contact us if you would like to pay in several installments.

Final package price is estimated. Prices are based on the current exchange rate (as of June 2023). Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates could affect the final pilgrimage pricing. If you have any questions about pricing and when final pricing decisions will be communicated, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and fees will be charged per person per booking.

Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
  • 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
  • 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

*To qualify for free cancellation within 2 weeks of deposit, deposit must be made 180 days or more prior
to departure.

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted.

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Not only does registering early guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but you don’t want to miss out on available discounts, including the early bird savings (see “Trip Savings” in the Pricing section above more details). Also, there is no risk for 14-days after you register should you then have to cancel (must register 180 days or more prior to departure). So let’s say you register for a pilgrimage, but then realize you can no longer attend, as long as you cancel your pilgrimage within 14-days of registering and registered more than 180s days prior to the departure, then we will fully refund your deposit no questions asked. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest. Plus, the sooner you register the sooner your journey begins. Register today!

There is no risk! Your deposit will be fully refunded as long as you cancel within 14-days of registering and you have registered more than 180 days or more prior to departure. With no risk, why wait? Get registered today!

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance, register now and begin your journey.

We highly recommend that all pilgrims buy travel protection. Travel protection is not only for peace of mind, but helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396. We are happy to help!

Including optional add-ons with your pilgrimage can really add to your experience whether it is one of the optional extension or arranging an extra night stay beforehand so you are rested when the pilgrimage begins. If you would to add on any optional arrangements, as listed above, please email us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.

A pilgrimage, at its simplest, is a trip of faith. Which means a pilgrimage can be anything from a walk around your city to an encounter of Jesus in the Holy Land. For Catholics, it’s a trip of faith that people have been taking for hundreds or even thousands of years, many times in the same exact places you can visit today. It’s an opportunity to experience the spots God has made his presence known most in time and space, whether that’s where Jesus walked, where Mary appeared, or where the saints have lived and worked.

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else. We believe everything from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims are ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We also believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, it’s how you prepare from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. Which means it’s our intention to shepherd you through the entire process — before, during, and after — so you can have the best, most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts, we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. Our goal is to make sure you’re physically, logistically, and spiritually ready for your pilgrimage. You’ll receive essential emails that will walk you through the process and give you ways to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. A pre-trip webinar will make sure you are in touch with the Verso leader of the trip, can get trip-specific info, and can ask questions. We’ll send you a pilgrim kit that contains a comprehensive booklet for your trip along with some Verso swag (such as a bag, pen, and sticker) that you can bring along with you on your pilgrimage. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email if you have any questions or special needs.

Have a Question?

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This trip’s activity level is moderate. Travelers must be in good health and be in good physical condition to enjoy this itinerary. Travelers must be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries of 3-5 hours of walking at a normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills. The pace is faster and more demanding, with some breaks throughout the day.

Difficult
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Accommodation Level

Simple
For the duration of your trip, enjoy a range of lodging accommodations — from quaint guesthouses to simple-styled hotels. Discover a newfound appreciation for each of these locations which often have a unique character of their own. With your private bathroom and sleeping quarters, these locations will provide you with a clean, comfortable, and cozy place to settle into during your journey.

Standard
Venues at this level will provide you with the best accommodations at a reasonable cost. Not only will you have access to modern amenities and services, but special care is taken to ensure hotels are located in close proximity to the area’s local attractions. Expect your stay at this level to provide you with an added feeling of comfortability and convenience as you experience your pilgrimage.

Premium
Your stay at the premium level will ensure that your travel involves the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and luxurious stays that a destination has to offer. You’ll find that traveling at this level will afford you the opportunity to optimize your experience at each spot. From fine dining to scenic views, anticipate that your pilgrimage will provide you with breathtaking experiences no other location could provide.

How will I know what my stay will be like?
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