Pilgrimage Rome: 4 papal basilicas and the Holy Door

Pilgrimage to Rome: the 4 papal basilicas and the Holy Door

Rome has been the most important destination for Christian pilgrimage for two thousand years. At the heart of this journey of faith are thefour papal basilicas(or patriarchal): St. Peter's in Vatican City, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Visiting all four, especially during a Jubilee Year, is the pinnacle of thepilgrimage to Rome. This guide explains the history, architecture, relics, indulgences, and significance of the Holy Door, with practical information on hours, entrances, and how to organize the route.

What are the papal basilicas?

The papal basilicas (also called "major basilicas") are the four most important churches in Christianity, hierarchically superior to all others, including cathedrals. They all have aHoly Door, which is opened only during Jubilee Years (ordinary every 25 years, extraordinary at the Pope's discretion). Additionally, they have apapal altar(reserved for the Pope or his delegates) and aconfessional(the area above the tomb of the saint to whom they are dedicated).

Why visit all four papal basilicas?

According to Catholic tradition, a pilgrim who visits the four papal basilicas within a reasonable time frame (usually within a year) and performs the prescribed works (confession, communion, prayer for the intentions of the Pope) can obtain aplenary indulgence, that is, the total remission of temporal punishment for sins already confessed. During the Jubilee Year, the indulgence is linked to passing through the Holy Door of each basilica (or even just one, according to the provisions).

1. Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City (Saint Peter)

It is the largest and most famous basilica in the world, built over the tomb of the apostle Peter, the first Pope. The current basilica (1506-1626) was designed by Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini.

What to see at Saint Peter's

• Michelangelo's Dome(136 m high). Climb: €8 on foot (551 steps), €10 with partial elevator (then 320 steps). Spectacular view of Rome.

• Bernini's Baldachin(bronze, 29 m high) above the papal altar.

• Michelangelo's Pietà(1498-1499), the only work signed by the artist.

• The Tomb of Saint Peter(underground excavations – guided tour by reservation).

• The Holy Door(the last on the right when entering from the colonnade). Open only during Jubilee Years.

• The statues of the popes(in the niches along the central nave).

Hours and access

Curiosities

• The basilica can hold 60,000 people.

• The spire in the square (obelisk) was brought from Heliopolis (Egypt) in 37 AD by Caligula.

• The statues of the 140 saints on the colonnade (Bernini) all face Rome.

2. Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano (San Giovanni)

It is thecathedral of Rome(the mother church of all churches in the world). On the facade, there is the inscription: "Sacrosancta Lateranensis ecclesia omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput" ("Most Holy Lateran, mother and head of all churches of the city and the world"). It precedes St. Peter in dignity.

History

Built under Constantine (early 4th century) on the grounds of the Laterani family. It was the residence of the popes until 1309 (when the court moved to Avignon). It suffered fires, earthquakes, and looting. The current appearance is Baroque (17th-18th century), with interventions by Borromini.

What to see in San Giovanni

• The cloister(13th century) in Cosmatesque style (geometric mosaics). Entrance €4.

• The statues of the apostles(Bernini and workshop) in the central nave.

• The Holy Door(at the far left of the facade).

• The Lateran Baptistery(adjacent) – the oldest Christian baptistery (4th century).

• The Holy Stairs(in front of the basilica) – 28 steps that, according to tradition, were climbed by Jesus in Pilate's praetorium. They are ascended on one's knees.

Hours and access

Curiosities

• The heads of Saint Peter and Saint Paul are kept in the tabernacle above the papal altar.

• It is said that the first mass in Rome was celebrated on the main altar.

• The cosmatesque floor is one of the best examples in the world.

3. Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Santa Maria Maggiore)

It is the oldest western basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It stands on the Esquiline Hill. The legend says that the Virgin indicated in a dream to Pope Liberius and a patrician the place to build the church, appearing with a miraculous summer snowfall (August 5, 358 AD). Every year, on August 5, during mass, a rain of white petals falls from the ceiling.

What to see at Santa Maria Maggiore

• The mosaics of the central nave(5th century) – scenes from the Old Testament.

• The triumphal arch(5th century) with mosaics of the life of Jesus.

• The Sistine Chapel(not the Vatican one) – baroque chapel with the tombs of Sixtus V and Pius V.

• The Pauline Chapel(Borghese) – with the famous icon of "Salus Populi Romani" (protection of the Roman people), attributed to Saint Luke.

• The nativity scene by Arnolfo di Cambio(13th century) – the oldest sculpted nativity scene in the world.

• The Holy Door(on the left side of the main facade).

Hours and access

Curiosities

• The bell tower (75 m) is the tallest in Rome (14th century).

• Under the main altar rests Saint Jerome (translator of the Bible into Latin, Vulgate).

• The basilica is extraterritorial (property of the Holy See, like St. Peter's).

4. Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Saint Paul)

It stands on the Via Ostiense, at the place where the apostle Paul was buried after his beheading (67 AD). The original basilica (4th century) was destroyed by a fire in 1823 and rebuilt identically in the 19th century. It is the second largest after St. Peter's.

What to see at Saint Paul Outside the Walls

• The cloister(13th century) – one of the most beautiful in Rome, in Cosmatesque style. Entrance €4.

• The portraits of the popes(circular medallions) – 265 popes, from Peter to Francis. A tradition says that when there are no more spaces, the world will end.

• The triumphal arch(5th century) – miraculously survived the fire of 1823, with original mosaics.

• The tomb of Saint Paul(under the main altar) – accessible through a grate (the confession).

• The ciborium of Arnolfo di Cambio(1285) – above the altar.

• The Holy Door(to the right of the facade).

Hours and access

Curiosities

• The basilica is located outside the Aurelian walls (hence the name).

• On January 25, the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul is celebrated with a special mass.

• In front of the basilica, there is a statue of Saint Paul holding a sword (symbol of his martyrdom).

The Holy Door: meaning and rite

TheHoly Door(in LatinPorta Sancta) is a bricked-up door that is opened only during Jubilee Years (ordinary every 25 years, the last was the Jubilee of 2025). It symbolizes the passage from sin to grace, from darkness to light.

The opening rite

The Pope, after a procession, strikes three times with a silver hammer on the wall, which collapses. He then crosses the Holy Door first, followed by the faithful. At the end of the Jubilee Year, the door is closed and bricked up.

Which basilicas have the Holy Door?

• St. Peter's

• St. John Lateran

• St. Mary Major

• St. Paul Outside the Walls

(Only these four. In some extraordinary Jubilees, the doors of other churches, such as St. Mary of Loreto, are also added.)

The plenary indulgence

To obtain the indulgence during a Jubilee, the pilgrim must:

1. Cross the Holy Door (at least one of the four)

2. Confess (within 20 days before or after)

3. Receive communion (receive the Eucharist)

4. Pray for the intentions of the Pope (an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be)

5. Perform a work of mercy (corporal or spiritual)

Pilgrimage outside the Jubilee

Even in non-jubilee years, visiting the four basilicas and praying for the intentions of the Pope allows one to obtain the plenary indulgence under the same conditions (confession, communion, prayers). The Holy Door is bricked up, but the indulgence is linked to the pious visit and the prescribed works.

Pilgrimage itinerary: how to visit the 4 basilicas in one day

Visiting all four papal basilicas in one day is possible, but it is an intense route (about 8-9 hours, many kilometers on foot or by transport). Here is the best order.

Morning itinerary (2 basilicas)

• 8:30 – St. Peter's Basilica (arriva presto per evitare code). Visita 1 ora e mezza.

• 10:30 AM – Bus 62 or 64(20 minutes) to Largo Argentina, then transfer to bus 87 or 85 to San Giovanni.

• 11:30 AM – Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano(visit 1 hour). Include the Scala Santa if you have time (30 additional minutes).

Lunch (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM)

San Giovanni area: "Trattoria Vecchia Roma" (via Ferruccio, 12) or "Pizzeria La Boccaccia" (budget-friendly).

Afternoon itinerary (2 basilicas)

• 1:45 PM – Metro Afrom San Giovanni to Termini (transfer to Metro B) to Basilica San Paolo (30 minutes total).

• 2:30 PM – Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura(visit 1 hour). Include the cloister (20 extra minutes).

• 4:00 PM – Metro Bfrom San Paolo to Termini (15 minutes), then walk (10 minutes) or take bus 16, 70, 75 to Santa Maria Maggiore.

• 5:00 PM – Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore(visit 1 hour). Conclude the pilgrimage.

Total time:8 and a half hours (from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM). Recommended only for trained pilgrims.

Two-day itinerary (recommended)

• Day 1:St. Peter's (morning) + St. Paul fuori le Mura (afternoon)

• Day 2:San Giovanni in Laterano (morning) + Santa Maria Maggiore (afternoon)

Documents and items for the pilgrim

• Pilgrim credential(available at the basilicas or the Secretariat of State, €5). It is needed to obtain the "Testimonium" (certificate of pilgrimage).

• Rosario(to pray during travel)

• Schedule of indulgences(available in the sacristy)

• Clothing(modest, shoulders and knees covered in all basilicas)

Pilgrimage in the Jubilee Year: what changes

During the Jubilee (the last was in 2025, the next ordinary one will be in 2050, but there can be extraordinary jubilees):

• The Holy Doors are open(you can pass through)

• Longer lines(up to 2-3 hours for St. Peter's)

• Masses and special celebrations(extended hours)

• Confessions available in multiple languages

• Testimonium with jubilee date

Frequently asked questions about the pilgrimage to Rome

Can I visit the four basilicas in one day even if I am not a pilgrim?

Yes, as a tourist. But without religious practices (confession, communion), you do not receive the indulgence.

How long does it take to visit all four?

In-depth (with cloisters, domes, museums), it takes 2 days. Essentials only (just the basilicas), 1 intense day.

Which is the most beautiful of the four?

It depends on personal taste. St. Peter's is the most imposing. St. John has the charm of a cathedral. Santa Maria Maggiore is the oldest and most intimate. St. Paul Outside the Walls is the most solemn and least crowded.

Do I need to book to enter?

No, entry is free and open. Only for the dome of St. Peter's and for the excavations (Tomb of Peter) is a reservation required.

What does "papal basilica" vs "minor basilica" mean?

The papal basilicas are 4 (the major ones). The minor ones are other churches (e.g. Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, San Lorenzo fuori le Mura) with some privileges but not the Holy Door.

Can non-Catholics visit the basilicas?

Of course, they are open to everyone. Only respect for clothing and silence is requested.

What is the best time for a pilgrimage to Rome?

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). Summer is hot and crowded. Winter is more intimate but cold.

Are there organized pilgrimages?

Yes, many parishes and associations organize groups. Alternatively, you can do it independently.

Other jubilee churches (minor basilicas)

In addition to the four papal ones, during the Jubilee, other "jubilee churches" are often added where one can obtain indulgence. The main ones:

• Santa Croce in Gerusalemme(holds the relics of the Passion)

• San Lorenzo fuori le Mura(tomb of San Lorenzo)

• Santa Maria in Trastevere(icon of the Madonna)

• San Sebastiano fuori le Mura(catacombs)

Mistakes to avoid during the pilgrimage

1. Dressing inappropriately(tank tops, shorts, miniskirts) – you will be stopped at the entrance.

2. Visiting on Sunday morning(solemn masses, limited access in some areas).

3. Not checking confession times(some basilicas have only a few priests who speak Italian).

4. Forgetting the credential(if you want the Testimonium).

5. Tackling the 4 basilicas in one day without transportation(on foot, it's a total distance of 12 km).

FAQ

How much does the pilgrimage to the 4 basilicas cost?

Entry and cloisters only: €8-12 (cloister of San Giovanni and San Paolo, optional). Transportation: €7 (24-hour ticket). Total about €15-20.

Is there a pilgrim passport?

Yes, it's called the "Pilgrim Credential" (€5). You get it stamped at each basilica and then receive the Testimonium.

Can I obtain the indulgence if I visit the basilicas virtually?

No, the plenary indulgence requires physical presence.

Is the Holy Door always the same?

No, each basilica has its own Holy Door. The one at St. Peter's is the most famous.

Can children obtain the indulgence?

Yes, if they have made their first communion and confess (or are accompanied by parents who pray for them).

Can I enter with a backpack?

Yes, but at the more crowded basilicas (St. Peter's) they may ask you to check it (free).

Art and history

Thepilgrimage to RomeThrough the four papal basilicas – St. Peter's, St. John Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore, and St. Paul Outside the Walls – is a journey of faith, art, and history. Each basilica tells a piece of Christianity: the tomb of the apostles, the Pope's cathedral, Marian devotion, and the testimony of the martyrs. Crossing the Holy Door during the Jubilee or simply visiting them with an open heart offers a unique experience. Plan your route, respect the dress code, and let yourself be transformed by the silence and beauty of these sacred places.

To integrate this spiritual journey with other aspects of your trip – transportation, accommodations, food, and the great classics like the Colosseum and Roman Forum – read the complete guide that accompanies you in every step of your Roman adventure..

Revision date:March 15, 2026