Via Francigena Day 17: Vatican City

by | Apr 28, 2025 | Italy, Trail Journals, Via Francigena | 0 comments

Sunday, April 27, 2025

  • Start: La Storta, Italy
  • End: Vatican City
  • Distance walked: 23.2 km (14.5 miles) 
  • Cumulative distance: 434 km (269.6 miles)

Today was my final stage on the Via Francigena, walking from the Roman exurb of La Storta to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Although the first few kilometers along the Via Cassia (the highway connecting Rome to Florence) were pretty dull, I eventually reached a green space and the climb up to Monte Mario. After cresting my final climb of this 430+ km journey, I finally cast my eyes on the rooftops of Rome and the finish line.

Leaving La Storta along the Via Cassia.
Last day on the Via Francigena
This stage took me through a nature preserve where the yellow flowers were waist high.
I love this whimsical artwork near one of the picnic spots
After the big climb up Monte Mario, I got my first views of Rome
As I continued downhill, I spotted the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance. The end of the Via Francigena is finally in sight!
Lots of steep switchbacks from Monte Mario to the streets of Rome
When I arrived in Rome proper, I immediately saw dozens of groups (often in matching shirts) walking toward the Vatican for their Jubilee visit
The Vatican was closed for the past few days for the funeral and wasn’t re-opening until 13:00 today, so I had time to reconnect with Andreas & Catherine before going through security together.
The finish line
Getting my testimonum from the Vatican vounteers and registering my pilgrimage on the Via Francigena
Heading into St. Peter’s Basilica with Andreas and Catherine (and thousands of other visitors)
Look at this breathtaking artwork on the ceiling
The marble statues were unreal
Standing under one of the domes
The largest dome
Even the grates in the stone floor were fantastic and ornate
Back outside, the chairs were still standing from Pope Francis’s funeral (which occurred yesterday)
The basilica was so densely crowded, and I was grateful for a little breathing room outdoors.
Look at that architecture!
St. Peter’s Square
Fountain in St. Peter’s Square during the daytime (my photo)
The same fountain in the evening (Andreas’ photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • I’m so grateful that I was able to reconnect with Andreas and Catherine once I arrived in Vatican City and that we were able to go to the pilgrim’s desk and get our Testimonium together. The two of them were such a big part of this journey.
  • This was my first time visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, and I was amazed at how beautiful the ceiling murals were.
  • Reaching the end of this journey without any injuries. I plan to spend tomorrow sightseeing in Rome before flying to Spain and walking the Camino Primitivo.

CHALLENGES

  • Getting through the Vatican security was a bit chaotic. Not only were the visiting crowds huge, but Andreas was stopped by a guard, who confiscated the knife in his pack that he’d been using to cut sausages, cheese, and bread along the Via Francigena.
  • I would have liked to stay longer in the Basilica or return tomorrow with a more formal tour, but the Jubilee crowds were just too dense, and I feel my time in Rome might be better spent taking in some of the secular sights.

<< VF Day 16
VF Epilogue: Rome >>

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