The Papal Basilica’s of Rome

BY JENNIFER MIELE
Chief Development Officer

ROME – The four Papal Basilicas of Rome stand as sacred monuments to the glory of God, embodying the heart of the Catholic Church and bearing witness to centuries of faith, sacrifice and divine artistry. These holy sites contain profound theological, historical and spiritual significance and draw countless pilgrims from every corner of the globe, all seeking a deeper encounter with the divine. Among them were Bishop Larry J. Kulick and 30 devoted pilgrims from the Diocese of Greensburg, embarking in March and April on a spiritual journey rooted in prayer, reflection and communion with the universal Church.

It was a great blessing and humbling honor to accompany the Greensburg pilgrims and provide coverage for The Catholic Accent from the Eternal City itself, as we made this sacred pilgrimage together on a journey of hope. United in faith, we visited the four Major Papal Basilicas: the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. It was a journey of hope and grace, set within the context of the Jubilee Year of Hope declared by Pope Francis.

As part of the Jubilee Year, we passed through the Holy Doors of each basilica, opened by Pope Francis as symbols of mercy, conversion and spiritual renewal.

“In Catholic tradition, the Holy Door represents the passage to salvation—the path to a new and eternal life, which was opened to humanity by Jesus,” Pope Francis wrote in Spes non confundit, the papal bull proclaiming the Jubilee Year 2025.

The act of walking through these doors reminded each of us that we are pilgrims on a path toward eternal communion with God, called to conversion, reconciliation and a deeper trust in His mercy.

While in Rome, the pilgrims were deeply moved to witness Pope Francis making one of his final public appearances from the balcony of Gemelli Hospital. There, he greeted the faithful. Among them was Bishop Kulick, who had gathered in prayer for his recovery. On March 23, the Holy Father was discharged and made a stop to offer prayer at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a place he frequently visited in thanksgiving before and after his apostolic journeys.

On April 26, Pope Francis was laid to rest in a side chapel of this revered basilica, where he had so often entrusted his ministry to the maternal care of Our Lady.

One evening, our group was granted the extraordinary privilege of a private tour of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. We stood in reverent silence before the sacred relics of the Holy Crib—five fragments of the very manger in which the Christ Child was laid. These are solemnly enshrined within a radiant crystal reliquary upheld by four golden angels. Gazing upon this holy site, we were reminded of the humility of Christ’s incarnation and the infinite love of God who chose to dwell among us in such lowliness.

Later, we ascended to the rooftop of the basilica, where a breathtaking panoramic view of Rome unfolded before us. From that vantage point, the Eternal City revealed its layers of history, holiness and beauty. Each corner bore witness to the Gospel proclaimed through the ages. The experience left an indelible mark on our hearts.

“This has been the most amazing trip I could ever conceive of,” reflected pilgrim Roy Kerlin of Ligonier. “This Marian Church, where the Mother of God was proclaimed, it was utterly astounding to me. It’s spiritually enlightening and uplifting to an extent that I didn’t believe was possible.”

“This has been the most amazing trip I could ever conceive of,” reflected pilgrim Roy Kerlin of Ligonier. “This Marian Church, where the Mother of God was proclaimed, it was utterly astounding to me. It’s spiritually enlightening and uplifting to an extent that I didn’t believe was possible.”

Pilgrim Joli Cibik of Kiski Township shared similar awe: “Being able to look over the city of Rome, seeing the different quarters that have meaning and house the different leaders of the Church, and to see the points of interest we have been visiting, helped to tie it all together over the course of several centuries.”

At the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, the pilgrims stood before the awe-inspiring mosaic portraits of all 266 Popes, including Pope Francis. These are a visual testament to the unbroken line of apostolic succession. We even had the rare opportunity to meet a mosaic artist, part of a family whose sacred craftsmanship has been passed down for generations, faithfully preserving the Church’s tradition of sacred art.

In the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, known as the mother of all churches, we encountered the spiritual foundation of the Church. There, we venerated the Altar of the Holy Sacrament, believed to contain the table used by Christ and His apostles at the Last Supper, a deeply moving reminder of the Eucharist, the   source and summit of our faith.