2025 is a monumental Year of Grace for the Catholic Church. Occurring only once every quarter-century, this Holy Jubilee transformed Rome into a global beacon of faith. At the heart of this sacred tradition is the opening of the Holy Doors, a symbolic invitation to spiritual renewal. These four major thresholds are located at the Great Basilicas: St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major.
Our journey was anchored by the Couples For Christ (CFC) Global Conference, a massive two-batch event held at the Centro Mariapoli Internazionale in Castel Gandolfo. My wife and I, alongside delegates from the CFC London A and B Chapters, joined the second batch from May 23–25.
The atmosphere was electric. This gathering wasn't just a conference; it was a dual celebration marking 25 years of Vatican recognition for CFC and 30 years of our presence in Europe. Under the theme "Pilgrims of Hope," thousands of us gathered to hear profound insights from Vatican Cardinals and Archbishops. Experiencing that unifying spirit, members from every corner of the globe coming together for faith and family, was truly overwhelming.
We were deeply blessed to balance our spiritual duties with moments of quiet reflection. Our stay in a cozy apartment overlooking the lake at Castel Gandolfo provided a serene backdrop to the high-energy conference.
In Rome, we successfully made our pilgrimage to all four Holy Doors. A standout moment was celebrating Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica alongside hundreds of our CFC brothers and sisters. We also had the distinct honor of attending the first-ever papal audience of Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square and paid our respects at the tomb of Pope Francis in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Of course, a Roman pilgrimage is never complete without embracing the city’s timeless culture. Between our spiritual activities, we wandered through history at the Colosseum and Castel Sant’Angelo, the architectural marvel of the Pantheon, the vibrant Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps), and the Trevi Fountain, where we followed tradition and tossed a few coins, whispering wishes for our family and community.
Looking back, this trip was the perfect harmony of a spiritual mission and a personal holiday. It was a journey of the soul that we will carry in our hearts for many years to come. We left Rome not just as tourists, but as true Pilgrims of Hope.
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