Canon Benoit Jayr and pilgrims visited awe-inspiring religious sites, world-class museums, delightful plazas and exquisite art and architecture everywhere during their 10-day pilgrimage. But nothing could have prepared them for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of providentially being in the crowd outside St. Peter’s as the announcement came of the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.
On May 8th, the pilgrims joined hundreds in St. Mary Major in Rome – including Msgr. Glles Wach, Canon Phillipe Mora, Msgr. R. Michael Schmitz, and many other Canons and pilgrims of the Institute’s world apostolates – for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Extraordinary form, before journeying to St. Peter’s Basilica, where they heard everywhere the cries, “Fumata Bianca!” amid the pealing of church bells.
This unforgettable pilgrimage also included visits to Siena, Florence, and Orvieto, as well as the Institute seminary in Gricigliano.
Gallery of photos HERE.