Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney is continuing his pilgrimage with a group of faithful, including priests and laity of the Diocese of Paterson, to mark the Jubilee Year of Hope in Rome, Italy.
The diocesan pilgrims visited Assisi, Italy, where they paid homage to the tomb of the newly canonized saint, St. Carlo Acutis, and walked through the hometown of St. Francis and St. Clare.
Then in Rome, they journeyed to St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Mary Major, St. Peter’s Square, the Sistine Chapel and other holy sites.
Seminarian Lucas Folan was ordained a deacon in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Bishop Sweeney shared photographs and the following dispatches from Rome.
Follow the journey on social media:
Bishop Kevin Sweeney’s Instagram
Diocese of Paterson Facebook (English)
Diocese of Paterson Facebook (Spanish)
Day 4: 9/30/25
The Feast of St. Jerome
Another Beautiful Morning as we begin Day 4, the Feast of St. Jerome. We had an early start and walked to St. Peter’s Basilica, where we had the privilege of celebrating Mass at the Altar of St. Columba in the “Irish Chapel.” I had not made a special request – it was just a happy coincidence!
During our visit, we entered St. Peter’s through the Holy Door, opened for the Jubilee. We saw the tombs of St. Pope John Paul II and Pope John 23, also of Pope Paul VI and Pope Benedict XVI.
From one Holy Door to another… (two down, two to go). We went from St. Peter’s to St. Mary Major, where we visited the tomb of Pope Francis and the burial place of St. Jerome. St. Mary Major is also the home of the image of our Blessed Mother, “Salus Populi Romani”, Protectress of the Roman People, to which Pope Francis had a great devotion and visited before and after each Apostolic Journey.
The plan is to visit St. John Lateran and a third Holy Door this afternoon. We are continuing to pray for you and your intentions. Please continue to pray for us.
Day 5: 10/1/25
Pope’s Wednesday General Audience
Day 5 of our Pilgrimage, on Oct. 1, the Feast of St. Therese, the Little Flower, we had another beautiful morning as we made our way to St. Peter’s Square for the Pope’s Wednesday General Audience. Our guide helped us find a good spot — next to the rail and NEXT to a BABY! So, as you will see, we were able to get very close to Pope Leo!
Yesterday, we went through three Holy Doors in one day — that’s a pretty good day!!
We made it to the Arch-basilica of St. John Lateran and passed through our 3rd Holy Door of the day. The Lateran Basilica is sometimes referred to as the “Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome.” It is the oldest (in its current state) of the 4 Major Basilicas.
Also included are photos of Pizza making and celebrating the birthdays of two pilgrims — Kevin and Karen.
Day 6: 10/2/25
Morning
On day 6 of our Pilgrimage, the Feast of the Guardian Angels, some in our group were very Happy to wake up to the news that the Yankees had won – and we’re hoping they will win again this evening!
We also woke up to another Beautiful Day in Rome. Yesterday, we had lunch at a “make your own pizza” Pizzeria. Then, in the afternoon, we visited the Catacombs of Priscilla and celebrated Mass in the Basilica of St. Sylvester.
This morning we visited the Vatican Museum and the AMAZING Sistine Chapel (where you can’t take pictures, but there are images outside, where you can take pictures).
At 6 p.m. in Rome (noon in N.J.), we will attend the Diaconate Ordination of Lucas Folan, a seminarian of our Diocese, and 15 of his classmates from all across the US. The ordination will take place at the “Altar of the Chair,” behind the main altar in St. Peter’s Basilica. Please pray for Lucas and his classmates, and continue to pray for us, as we pray for you and your intentions.
Oh Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s Love permits thee here. Ever this day be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Evening
The Ordination was beautiful and a powerful, prayerful experience at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. God bless our diocesan seminarian, Deacon Lucas Folan.
I want to thank Father Cesar Jaramillo and Father Alex Nevitt for sharing these pictures. Peace.
Day 7: 10/2/25
Morning
Day 7 of our Pilgrimage is another beautiful morning and day in Rome. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures outside this morning. Hopefully, there will be more photos later, when we visit St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.
This morning, we were at St. Mary Major for Deacon Lucas’ first “Preaching Mass.” He did a wonderful job!! Here are a few photos of the small community, which gathered with Deacon Lucas, his parents, family, and friends.
Evening
On our last afternoon and evening in Rome, we had Mass at Sant’Andrea Delle Fratte, where there is a Shrine to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and two sculptures by Bernini.
Then it was on to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we passed through our 4th Holy Door and prayed especially for the mission of our own “St. Paul’s Inside the Walls” Evangelization Center in Madison.
Thank you all who followed along the journey this past week.
