Rome At Easter

Rome at Easter – from £249 per person!

Join the Easter celebrations in Rome – the grandeur and reverence of the Vatican is unmistakable – visit when Pope Benedictus XVI makes his Easter address.

The two weeks surrounding Easter are one of the busiest times of the year in Rome. For pilgrim and secular tourist alike, the “Triduum” that extends from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday is an opportune time to see the Church and Pope Benedictus XVI in action.

What follows is a whistle-stop guide to the 72-hours of activity in Rome around Easter:

Holy Thursday: Blessing of the holy oils in Saint Peter’s Basilica in the morning during a special Mass presided over by the Pope; this is one of the best occasions to see the Pope without an immense crowd.

Thursday evening: Easter officially begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, commemorating the institution of Mass and the priesthood. The Pope usually celebrates this in Saint Peter’s. During the liturgy the Pope washes the feet of twelve priests in imitation of Christ during the last supper.

Good Friday: In accordance with ancient custom no Mass may be celebrated on this day, a sign of mourning over Christ’s death. Still, a service is held in Saint Peter’s in the afternoon, during which Saint John’s account of Christ’s suffering and death is sung.

Friday evening: The Pope leads the Stations of the Cross, a procession that commemorates the fourteen stages of Christ’s passion, at the Colosseum. Interestingly, modern scholars often say that no Christians were ever martyred in the Colosseum

Saturday: Mass is celebrated in the late evening in Saint Peter’s. During this service adult converts to Catholicism are officially received into the Church.

Easter: Mass is celebrated in the morning in Saint Peter’s Square, and hence it can have a stadium feeling. Afterwards the Pope delivers the blessing known as the “Urbi et Orbi - to the City and to the World” from the balcony on the façade of Saint Peter’s.

This, of course, is an idealized itinerary; and whether the Pope actually administers all these activities or can even attend, depends on earthly parameters.

7 days coach tour from £249pp B&B, Short breaks in Rome by air; 2nights from £251pp 4 nights from £430pp B&B. To be part of these very special Easter Celebrations in Rome call us on 08450 545 069 or complete the online enquiry to discuss your Roman Holiday for this Easter.