06/18/2026
Charism Pilgrimage Day 8 (Post Two)
On our last day in Italy, we did much more than meet Friar Carlos Alberto Trovarelli, OFM Conv., the 120th successor of Saint Francis of Assisi and the worldwide leader of the Conventual Franciscan Friars (scroll down our profile to our May 30 post for the point-five selfie taken by Friar Carlos himself).
Location 1: St. Peter’s Basilica (📸 1-4)
We started in Vatican City with a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by time for the volunteers to explore St. Peter’s on their own and to spend time in prayer.
Location 2: Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (📸 5-6)
We then visited St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome and the seat of the Pope. Saint Francis visited here in 1209 to seek approval for his new way of life from Pope Innoccent III.
Location 3: Santi Apostoli (📸 7-14)
The last place was Santi Apostoli, a church dedicated to the Twelve Apostles and cared for by the Conventual Franciscans.
Not only did we get to meet with Friar Carlos, we also met two other Friars. First, we were greeted by Friar Mark Folger, OFM Conv., who is part of the Franciscan Friars Conventual of St. Joseph of Cupertino. Friar Mark also gave us a tour of Santi Apostoli. We also met Friar David Francis Blowley, OFM Conv., who is part of the Franciscan Friars Conventual of the Our Lady of the Angels Province. Friar David is the Assistant General for the Conventual Franciscan Federation.
To end our time at Santi Apostoli we celebrated Mass together for “The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.”
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