Young Saints Walking Pilgrimage in Rome

Self-Guided Tour

Essential Places for Young Saints Walking Pilgrimage in Rome

Jubilee of Youth: July 28 – August 3

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Embark on a powerful spiritual journey in the heart of Rome. From July 28– August 3, relics of young saints such as Blessed Carlo Acutis, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, and Blessed Ivan Merz will be displayed publically for pilgrims to venerate. Encounter the history and tradition of our Faith through Live events, seminars concerts, and devotions at select locations during the Jubilee of Youth.

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Places to Visit:

Blessed Carlo Acutis - Church of Saint Marcello al Corso

Relic: A first class of his pericardium (heart) will be available for veneration.

Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991–2006) was a teen who used his tech skills to evangelize, especially through his online Eucharistic Miracles exhibition. A gamer and student, he called the Eucharist his “highway to heaven.” As the first millennial to be beatified, Carlo represents a powerful example of digital discipleship and Eucharistic devotion. He shows today’s young Catholics how faith can be lived in the digital age without compromise.

Looking at the church dedicated to Pope Marcellus I, the exterior has a facade with statues of Saint Marcellus and Saint Philip Benzzi in the niches. In 1369 it was given to the Order of the Servants of Mary. Sadly in 1519, the church caught fire and was destroyed. The only remaining piece was a wooden crucifix, which is still in the church today. The rebuilding began shortly after, with many different architects involved. Some of the designs that stand out are of the apse designed by Annibale Lippi, the fresco of The Crucifixion above the entrance opposite the facade by Giovanni Battista Riccifresco, and the Life Monument by Timothy Paul Schmalz.

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Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati - Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

Relic: His body will be transported from its regular resting place in Turin and available to be venerated until August 4th, 2025.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925) was a vibrant young man known for his devotion to the poor, love for the Eucharist, and deep joy rooted in faith. A mountaineer and student, he lived the Gospel in everyday life and died at just 24. His witness shows that sanctity is possible in the ordinary rhythm of youth. Pilgrims can encounter his story and venerate his body at Sopra Minerva in the heart of Rome.

Frassati is often referred to as the “Man of the Beatitudes” and is a patron for modern youth, reminding young Catholics that holiness is possible in the midst of studies, sports, and friendships. His life calls young people to social justice and active charity.

The Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, one of Rome’s only two Gothic churches, stands as a sacred space of devotion, history, and Dominican tradition. Built atop the ruins of a temple dedicated to Minerva, the basilica has undergone centuries of transformation, becoming most widely known as the resting place of Saint Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church and patroness of Italy.

At the entrance, pilgrims are greeted by a distinct obelisk, supported by an elephant-shaped base crafted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The current basilica, begun in 1280, has seen many renovations, yet remains one of the oldest Dominican churches in Rome. Within its sacred walls lies the body of St. Catherine, enshrined beneath the high altar, where she continues to inspire devotion. Nearby rests Blessed Fra Angelico, the Dominican painter whose works captured the beauty of Christian faith. A side altar holds the crucifix that, according to tradition, spoke to St. Camillus of Lellis, encouraging him to found the Camillians, a religious order dedicated to the care of the sick.

The Order of Preachers, who have safeguarded the basilica for centuries, continue their tradition of praying the Liturgy of the Hours in the church three times daily. As a place of prayer, history, and Dominican spirituality, Santa Maria sopra Minerva remains a sanctuary where the lives of saints, scholars, and artists converge in devotion to God.

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Blessed Ivan Merz - Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle

Relic: More information will be posted closer to the week of the Jubilee of Youth.

A Croatian intellectual and soldier turned saintly witness, Blessed Ivan Merz (1896–1928) promoted Catholic youth movements and the liturgy. His passion for culture, truth, and Christ led him to a deep life of holiness despite suffering and early death. On his visit to the Croatian capital of Zagreb in 1994, Pope John Paul II called Bl. Ivan “An outstanding layman in witnessing to the Gospel.”

Merz’s legacy lives on through Catholic Action and liturgical renewal, and he is a model for students, thinkers, and cultural leaders seeking to anchor their lives in Christ.

Blessed Ivan Merz is an example of a lay person who, through study, prayer, and apostolic action, reached a high degree of Christian perfection and dedicated his life to the renewal of society in accordance with the Gospel. – Benedict XVI.

The Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle stands as a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, shaped by some of the most influential architects of the 16th and 17th centuries. Founded in 1591 through the patronage of Cardinal Alessandro Peretti di Montalto, the basilica’s design began under Gian Francesco Grimaldi and Giacomo della Porta, before Carlo Maderno took over, elevating its majestic dome. The church’s travertine façade, completed in the late 17th century by Carlo Rainaldi, adds to its grandeur.

The interior follows a Latin cross plan, with a spacious central nave flanked by eight towering chapels, each a testament to Roman devotion and artistic excellence. Among these, the "Tosca Chapel" gained fame through Puccini’s opera, serving as the dramatic setting for key moments in the story.

Above, the dome frescoes of Giovanni Lanfranco capture the dynamic spirit of Baroque art, depicting glorious heavenly visions bathed in golden light. As a place of architectural brilliance and sacred devotion, Sant’Andrea della Valle continues to inspire visitors, standing as a testament to the vision of Peretti, the craftsmanship of Maderno, and the artistic genius of Rome’s golden age.

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St. Monica - Basilica of Sant’Agostino in Campo Marzio

Relic: Her remains rest in a side chapel dedicated to her.

The Basilica of Sant’Agostino, located in Piazza Sant’Agostino, holds the distinction of being one of Rome’s first Renaissance churches and the final resting place of Saint Monica, the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. Originally built in the 14th century, the church was rebuilt between 1479 and 1483 under the patronage of Cardinal Guillaume d’Estouteville, with architects Jacopo di Pietrasanta and Sebastiano Fiorentino leading the project. In the 18th century, Luigi Vanvitelli transformed the church’s interior, dome, and façade, incorporating travertine stone from the Colosseum into its construction.

Within its sacred walls, the basilica houses a wealth of Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Among them is Raphael’s fresco of the Prophet Isaiah (1512) and Sansovino’s Madonna del Parto (1516), a revered image of the Blessed Virgin. The church is also home to Caravaggio’s Madonna of the Pilgrims (1604), a striking depiction of humble devotion, and a Byzantine icon enshrined in the main altar, which was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Pilgrims visit the tomb of St. Monica, honoring the mother whose unceasing prayers led to the conversion of St. Augustine, one of the Church’s greatest theologians. As a place of prayer, art, and history, Sant’Agostino remains a sanctuary where faith and culture come together in devotion to God.

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St. Aloysius Gonzaga - Church of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola

Relic: His remains are buried under the altar of the Lancelotti Chapel, to the left of the main altar.

A Jesuit scholastic who died caring for plague victims at 23, St. Aloysius is the patron of youth. His remains rest in Sant’Ignazio, with his rooms accessible by appointment.

His deep piety and self-giving love call young people to courageously follow Christ in self-sacrifice and service, even in the face of suffering.

The Church of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola stands as a tribute to Saint Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus. Built in the 17th century, this grand Baroque church reflects the spiritual and intellectual legacy of the Jesuits in Rome.

Its most striking feature is the painted ceiling by Andrea Pozzo, an illusionistic masterpiece that gives the impression of a soaring dome, though the church lacks an actual one. This technique, known as trompe-l'œil, extends the architectural space beyond its physical limits, drawing the viewer’s eye heavenward.

Beneath the high altar rest the relics of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, a Jesuit seminarian known for his holiness and self-sacrifice. His presence adds to the church’s deep spiritual significance. Visitors can also admire Pozzo’s perspective paintings in the side chapels, which further showcase the ingenuity of Jesuit artistry.

Sant'Ignazio remains a place of prayer and contemplation, inviting the faithful to marvel at its beauty while reflecting on the legacy of the Jesuit order.

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Sts. Ignatius & Francis Xavier - Chiesa del Gesú

Relic: His right forearm and hand is enshrined in a reliquary above a side altar. This is the arm with which he baptized tens of thousands of people throughout his missionary journeys.

The Church of the Gesù, the mother church of the Society of Jesus, stands as the epitome of Baroque art and devotion. Built in 1568, it embodies the spiritual and artistic response of the Jesuits to the Protestant Reformation, designed to inspire faith through grandeur.

The high ceilings, adorned with golden arches and intricate carvings, lead the eye toward the opening of the heavens, where angels twirl and sing, surrounded by billowing clouds and radiant beams of light. The ceiling fresco, a masterpiece of illusion and movement, invites the faithful to contemplate the glory of God and the triumph of the Church.

At the heart of the basilica lies the tomb of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, enshrined in a magnificent altar reflecting his legacy of spiritual discipline and missionary zeal. The church also holds the relics of St. Francis Xavier, the great Jesuit missionary, who carried the Gospel across Asia.

A place of prayer and artistic wonder, Chiesa del Gesù remains a center of Jesuit spirituality, where the beauty of Baroque art meets the profound devotion of the Society of Jesus.

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St. Agnes - Piazza Navona & Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone

Relic: A relic of her skull is present in a chapel located to the left of the main sanctuary.

Martyred at 12, St. Agnes is a symbol of purity and courage. Her relics rest in the beautiful baroque church in Piazza Navona, a testament to youthful sanctity in the face of persecution. Agnes is a timeless example of youthful strength and integrity, especially in the face of societal pressure, making her a beloved patron for young girls and those discerning vocations.

Piazza Navona was originally the Stadium of Domitian, which was constructed in the late first century AD. It was later transformed into a piazza. In the 15th Century, Pope Calixtus III commissioned the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. According to tradition, this is the site of the martyrdom of St. Agnes. In the 17th Century, Pope Inncoent X commissioned the baroque remodel of the church by Francesco Borromini and the baroque fountain at the center of the piazza, Fontanta dei Quattro Fiumi.

The fountain was designed by GianLorenzo Bernini, and features representations of the Nile, Danube, Ganges, and Rio del Plata. The square is also known for at times being flooded for celebrations during the baroque period.

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St. Cecilia - Basilica of Saint Cecilia in Trastevere

Relic: Her body lies beneath the high altar, in a crypt shrine alongside the remains of her husband, St. Valerian, who was also a martyr. There is a famous Baroque statue of St. Cecilia over her tomb.

The Basilica of Saint Cecilia, who is the patron saint of musicians, was built where her family lived in Trastevere. She was martyred around 230 A.D. when she tried converting her husband and brother. Because of her efforts, she was tortured for three days in the calidarium. However, she was still alive, so her torturers decapitated her. Pope Urban I, who witnessed the martyrdom, buried her in the catacomb of St. Callistus. Years later, Pope Paschal found her body and moved it to a basilica in Trastevere, which is now named after her. As time past, the basilica had numerous work done. Between the 12th and 13th century, the cloister, atrium, and bell tower were added. In the 16th century the entrance to the building was added on with its ancient columns of pink granite and African marble by Ferdinando Fuga.

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St. Philip Neri - Chiesa Nuova (S. Maria in Vallicella)

Relic: His body rests in the Chapel of St. Philip Neri, to the right of the main altar.

The Chiesa Nuova, or New Church, stands as a Baroque masterpiece and the resting place of St. Philip Neri, the beloved Apostle of Rome. Originally known as Santa Maria in Vallicella, the church was entrusted to the Oratorians after the death of St. Philip Neri, who had founded the Congregation of the Oratory. In 1592, the Oratorians rebuilt the church, commissioning Dionisio di Bartolomeo to design its graceful Baroque form.

This sacred site remains the spiritual heart of the Oratorians, the religious community founded by St. Philip Neri, whose joyful and compassionate approach to holiness transformed the city. Pope Gregory XIII formally authorized their congregation in 1575, and their Rule was later approved by Pope Pius V in 1612.

Within the church, the tomb of St. Philip Neri invites pilgrims to venerate the saint who renewed Rome through his humility, humor, and love for Christ. Chiesa Nuova continues to be a place of prayer, music, and devotion, reflecting the spiritual vitality and missionary zeal of the Oratorians, whose legacy endures in the very heart of the Eternal City.

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St. Charles Borromeo - Basilica di Santi Ambrogio e Carlo e Carlo al Corso

Relic: A relic of his heart rests within a reliquary in an altar located behind the main sanctuary.

This church is dedicated to both Saint Ambrose and Saint Charles who were bishops of Milan. The church was designed and built from 1568-1619 by Onorio Longhi, but then completed by his son Martino Longhi until 1660. Inside the church are beautiful pieces of art, with the main attraction being of Saint Ambrose and and Saint Charles who are being presented to Christ by Mother Mary. It was painted by Carlo Maratta between 1685-1690.

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Pope St. John Paul II - Tomb in St. Peter's Basilica

At the altar of St. Sebastian are the remains of Pope St. John Paul II who was pope from October 16, 1978 to April 2nd, 2005. He was canonized on April 27, 2014. His body was moved from the Vatican grottoes to the main floor of St. Peter's in the days following his beatification in May 2011.

Born Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, Pope St. John Paul II was the 264th pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1978 to 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years and became one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.

During his early life, he survived the Nazi occupation of Poland during World War II and was ordained a priest in 1946 and became the Archbishop of Kraków in 1964 playing a key role in resisting communist rule in Poland. His election as pope on October 16, 1978, marked a historic moment. As John Paul II, he strongly advocated for human rights, religious freedom, and peace, significantly influencing the fall of communism, particularly in Eastern Europe. In 1981, he survived an assassination attempt and later forgave his attacker, demonstrating his deep commitment to mercy and reconciliation.

Throughout his papacy, he became the most traveled pope in history, visiting 129 countries and reaching millions of people. He worked tirelessly to promote interfaith dialogue, strengthening relations between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. His writings, including numerous encyclicals, shaped modern Catholic theology and addressed contemporary moral and social issues.

In his later years, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease but continued to lead the Church with resilience. He passed away on April 2, 2005, at the Vatican, prompting an outpouring of global mourning. Recognized for his holiness and impact, he was beatified in 2011 and canonized a saint in 2014 by Pope Francis. Today, he is remembered for his charisma, deep spirituality, and lasting influence on both the Church and the world.

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Read More about his Papacy

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Learn More at www.theyoungsaints.com. Join the Jubilee of Youth: Program & Registration