# Italy and San Marino expand Franciscan pilgrimage network > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italy-spiritual-pilgrimage-network > Updated: 2026-08-18T09:41:18.000Z. Sources: 59. Developments: 7. On 30 July 2026, the Italian Ministry of Tourism launched the Cammino di Francesco – Il Cammino della Luce, a 1,546-km pilgrimage corridor linking Saint Francis sites across Abruzzo, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Marche, Tuscany, and Umbria, ending at his tomb in Assisi. Introduced by Deputy Secretary-General Marco Villani, the route is now listed on the official tourism platform Italia.it. The project is supported by a €40 million investment and features tenor Andrea Bocelli as its global testimonial. Local events have expanded alongside the national rollout. In Montefalco, the Union of Municipalities of the ‘Terre dell’Olio e del Sagrantino’ organized a two-day trekking event on 8–9 August. On 17 August, the ‘888 – Le donne cantano San Francesco’ pilgrimage commenced, a 376-km journey from Grazie di Curtatone to Assisi. Eight female artists are participating in a symbolic relay of ‘Cantica’ performances to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis and the 80th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Italy. In San Marino, the Church of San Marino-Montefeltro and the Diocese of Rimini, supported by the San Marino State Secretariat for Tourism, have announced a ‘Pilgrimage on the steps of San Marino and Saint Francis’ for 29 August 2026. This 20-km itinerary, part of the ‘Saint Francis and Freedom’ program, connects Poggio Torriana to San Marino City. The Apostolic Penitentiary has granted plenary indulgence to participants. Religious observances will continue into early September, including a youth prayer vigil on 2 September and a solemn Mass featuring the Saint’s relic on 3 September. ## Claims - Andrea Bocelli is the global testimonial for the Cammino di Francesco and appears in its promotional spot. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The Cammino di Francesco spans 1,546 kilometres and passes through six Italian regions: Abruzzo, Emilia‑Romagna, Lazio, Marche, Tuscany and Umbria. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The Cammino di Francesco project was launched on 30 July 2026. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The Cammino di Francesco project totals 1,546 km of routes across six Italian regions. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Ministry of Tourism counts 33,000 km of spiritual tourism routes in Italy. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Italian Ministry of Tourism invested €40 million in the Cammino di Francesco project. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Ministry of Tourism produced a promotional spot featuring Andrea Bocelli’s voice, also available in English. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Ministry of Tourism produced a promotional spot featuring Bocelli's voice. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Cammino di Francesco network comprises roughly 33 000 km of routes worldwide. (corroborated by 3 sources) - To obtain the Testimonium Viae Francisci certificate, pilgrims must present a stamped credential, walk at least the final 100 km on foot (or 200 km by bike), and visit Saint Francis’s tomb in Assisi. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Minister Gianmarco Mazzi suggested introducing lower‑value certificates for shorter pilgrimages on the Cammino. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Minister Gianmarco Mazzi proposed recognizing shorter pilgrimages with lower‑value certificates. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Italy hosts antique markets and Saint Francis commemorative events Italy hosts several cultural events, including an antique market in San Benedetto del Tronto and Saint Francis-themed trekking and artistic pilgrimages across various regions. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cammino-888-pilgrimage-begins-from-curtatone-to-assisi ### 2026-08-17: San Marino to host pilgrimage for Saint Francis 800th anniversary A traditional pilgrimage through San Marino and Saint Francis's steps will take place on August 29, 2026, celebrating the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis and the founding of the Republic. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/san-marino-to-host-pilgrimage-for-saint-francis-800th-anniversary ### 2026-08-12: Eight women to undertake 376-km spiritual journey to Assisi Eight women will perform a 376-km spiritual and artistic pilgrimage from Curtatone to Assisi to mark the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis and 80 years of women's voting rights in Italy. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eight-women-to-undertake-376-km-spiritual-journey-to-assisi ### 2026-08-04: Italy launches 1,546‑km Franciscan pilgrimage network Italy unveiled a 1,546‑km Franciscan pilgrimage network and held a free two‑day trek in Montefalco to mark the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-launches-1546km-franciscan-pilgrimage-network ### 2026-08-02: Italy launches 1,546‑km Cammino di Francesco pilgrimage route Italy unveiled the 1,546‑km Cammino di Francesco pilgrimage route across six regions, linking Saint Francis sites and supporting sustainable tourism; the launch coincides with the 800th anniversary celebrations 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-launches-1546km-cammino-di-francesco-spiritual-trail-across-six-regions ### 2026-07-30: Cammino di Francesco unveiled with Andrea Bocelli as global testimonial Italy launched the 1,546‑km Cammino di Francesco on 30 July 2026, backed by €40 million, with Andrea Bocelli as global testimonial; pilgrims need a stamped credential and a 100‑km walk to earn the official cert 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andrea-bocelli-named-global-face-of-italys-cammino-di-francesco-tourism-network ### 2026-07-19: Italian Ministry Launches Francesco and John Paul II Spiritual Tourism Routes Italy’s tourism ministry will launch a 30,000‑km “Cammino di Francesco” network on 30 July and a joint Italy‑Poland “Cammino di Giovanni Paolo II” on 16 October, aiming to boost religious‑cultural tourism and r 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-ministry-launches-francesco-and-john-paul-ii-spiritual-tourism-routes --- Cite as: Italy and San Marino expand Franciscan pilgrimage network. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italy-spiritual-pilgrimage-network