Hundreds of Italian Catholics Journey to Lourdes for August 2026 Pilgrimages

The Diocese of Rome organized a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, from 28 to 31 August 2026. Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicario Generale of the Pope for the diocese, led the group of roughly 500 Roman faithful, including about 150 young participants. The delegation travelled by two aircraft and three buses and was accompanied by auxiliary bishops Alessandro Zenobbi, Stefano Sparapani, Andrea Carlevale, Marco Valenti, Monsignor Guerino Di Tora, and a large number of priests.

The Lombardy section of the Catholic charity Unitalsi coordinated a separate pilgrimage for the Diocese of Cremona, bringing about 240 participants—patients, volunteers, priests, and youth—to the sanctuary. Bishop Daniele Gianotti presided over the journey, which featured the procession of the flame, the Eucharistic procession, Mass, the Way of the Cross, and the Rosary in the Lourdes grotto.