Pilgrims travel by land, air, and sea to attend the Pope's weekly Audiences. Alberto and Barbara came to Rome by bike, cycling nearly 250 miles along the Via Francigena to see the Pope.
ALBERTO AND BARBARA CASTELLANO
“After the sun, the dust, and the mosquitoes, it was very intense and challenging, but the satisfaction of arriving at Rome, at St. Peter's, at the Pope's Audience was truly immense. It made it all worth it.”
The Via Francigena is a medieval road that dates back to the 7th century, extending from Great Britain through the south of Italy. Now it is a popular pilgrimage route that brings people from all walks of life to Rome.
ALBERTO AND BARBARA CASTELLANO
“We had a lot of intentions and prayers from people who are ill, or in my wife's case, friends who are nurses on the front lines against covid. So we thought of making this pilgrimmage on behalf of all of these people.”
Once they reached Rome, Alberto and Barbara hoped to catch the Pope's attention by wearing t-shirts with one of his messages to his General Audience.
ALBERTO AND BARBARA CASTELLANO
“This is one of Pope Francis' messages, be pilgrims on the path of your dreams, go forward. We thought it was a beautiful message and it is what we felt the most on our pilgrimage.”
The Via Francigena is seeking to revive slow travel through Europe after the pandemic, and to keep bringing pilgrims like these to Rome.
JM
