One of the most famous colloquial sayings hides a true meaning connected to the “Seven Churches Tour in Rome,” a pilgrimage route commonly followed starting in the 16th century in Rome.

Origins of the Seven Churches Tour in Rome

The “Giro delle Sette Chiese” (Tour of the Seven Churches) was a pilgrimage route thought to have been conceived by the priest Filippo Neri around 1559. It was a roughly 20-kilometer journey to visit the most important basilicas in Rome. The faithful walked the entire route with the intention of praying at each place of worship, representing an act of devotion. 

The Medieval Roots 

The tradition of visiting these churches is believed to be even older, with medieval origins. This tradition is mainly associated with the “Romei,” a term that describes Christian pilgrims. These pilgrims traveled from all over Europe and, in rare cases, from Africa and Asia to Rome. They came to venerate the tomb of Peter in its basilica and the basilica where the remains of Paul were buried. Pope Boniface VIII Caetani started the momentum for this phenomenon in 1300 by instituting the first Christian Jubilee.

The Seven Churches Tour in Rome
Pilgrims to Rome during the Holy Year of 1300 AC

Filippo Neri and the Growth of the Pilgrimage

It is, however, acknowledged that it was thanks to Filippo Neri that the itinerary began to gain popularity. Filippo came to Rome at the age of 18 in 1534. In 1551, they gave him the title of priest at the parish church of S. Tommaso in Parione. In 1575, Pope Gregory XIII entrusted Filippo Neri and his priests with the small and dilapidated church of Santa Maria in Vallicella. This church became the gathering point for thousands of faithful who followed the saint along the route for yearsAs a result, Rome’s most famous pilgrimage was spontaneously created. 

The Expansion of the Pilgrimage Under Pius IV

The seven Jubilee basilicas pilgrimage quickly gained incredible success. Initially, there were just a few dozen participants, with as few as five or six people. However, within a few years, as Filippo’s popularity grew, the pilgrimage expanded to involve hundreds of people.
There were as many as six thousand participants by the pontificate of Pius IV (1560-1565). Filippo had involved all of Rome, though it wasn’t until 1552 that the itinerary became organized and fixed on a specific day—Shrove Thursday. Some claim this was done to counter the pagan festivities held in Rome during the Carnival celebrations.

The Pilgrimage Route

The route started from St. Peter’s Basilica, then continued to St. Paul Outside the Walls (usually the next day). From there, pilgrims traveled along Via delle Sette Chiese (which still bears this name today) and reached St. Sebastian for Mass. Once the service was over, the next stops were St. John Lateran, the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and St. Lawrence Outside the Walls. Finally, the pilgrims concluded their journey at St. Mary Major. The participants sang the “Salve Regina,” a hymn traditionally associated with the end of the day and the end of life. This hymn symbolizes the completion of the spiritual journey.

The Seven Churches Spiritual Significance

Even today, visitors and pilgrims embark on a profound spiritual journey when they visit and pray at each location. These acts symbolize the faithful’s journey alongside Jesus during his travels. They represent the time from the night he was captured to his crucifixion.

  1. Basilica di San Pietro, Piazza San Pietro – Jesus journeyed from the Upper Room, where he celebrated the Last Supper, to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed and sweated blood.

  2. Basilica di San Paolo– Highlights the passage from the Garden of Gethsemane to the house of Annas, where the authorities interrogated and slapped Jesus.

  3. San Sebastiano Fuori le Mura – Focuses on Jesus’ journey to the house of Caiaphas, where people spat on him, insulted him, and caused him to suffer throughout the night.

  4. Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano – This church focuses on Jesus’ first appearance before Pilate, during which the Jews accused him directly.

  5. Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme – Remembers the Lord’s appearance before King Herod. During this time, Herod and his soldiers also insulted him.

  6. San Lorenzo fuori le Mura – Reflects on Jesus’ second appearance before Pilate. The soldiers crowned him with thorns, and Pilate sentenced him to death.

  7. Santa Maria Maggiore – Commemorates Christ’s journey from Pilate’s house to Mount Calvary. He carried the cross, was crucified, and rose from the tomb on the third day.