The Partner Newspaper

A heartwarming Pilgrimage of Hope for the family, children and grandparents started on Friday, May 30, as thousands of pilgrims from across the globe converged on the Eternal City for a program filled with spiritual reflection, celebration, and shared experiences. The pilgrimage reached its spiritual peak this past Sunday as about 36 pilgrims from Nigeria, led by their Bishop, gathered in St. Peter’s Square for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The pilgrimage, dubbed “The Jubilee of Family,” has seen the Nigerian faithful traverse some of Catholicism’s most hallowed grounds, reinforcing bonds of faith and kinship.

The pilgrimage to Rome was organized by CSN Pastoral Department, the unit for Synod/pilgrimage headed by Fr Nicholas Djebah, who led and coordinated the pilgrims and pilgrimage activities. The journey began in Rome, where the pilgrims were granted the extraordinary privilege of walking through the Holy Doors of four major basilicas: St. Peter’s, St. Mary Maggiore, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and finally, St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of the Pope. This significant spiritual act symbolizes a penitential journey and the reception of God’s mercy.

The Jubilee of Families concluded on Sunday, June 1, with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square at 10:30 AM and concelebrated by Bishop Francis Adesina of Ijebu-Ode and other Bishops and Priests. Thousands of children and families from around the world participated in this poignant Mass, which served as a powerful testament to the universal nature of the Church and the enduring hope found within families. Entrance to the Papal Mass was free and did not require tickets.

Today and tomorrow, the pilgrimage continues its sacred path, leading the group to the revered Italian towns of Assisi and Padua, the homes and shrines of beloved saints, St. Francis and St. Anthony, respectively. These visits offer further opportunities for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth.

It is clear that beyond the official events, the Jubilee offered broader initiatives for families, including guided tours at the Vatican Museums titled “Pilgrims of Hope,” focusing on testimonies and symbols of hope found in papal collections. Additionally, Cinecittà World, Rome’s amusement park, joined the celebrations with special activities and dedicated events for pilgrims and their families.