Pilgrims to Rome Conference 2025

The Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome will hold its annual conference on 15 March, at St. George’s Cathedral in Southwark. This event is a wonderful opportunity to hear pilgrim tales of their experiences on the Via Francigena and to learn from fellow pilgrims how to plan your own amazing journey on this historic route.

'The Many Ways to Rome' - our theme for 2025 will explore ways pilgrims can create their own way to Rome by deviating from the official route for stages or extending their journey both before Canterbury and beyond Rome.

The day will begin at 10, for those who are able to join, with a guided walk from St. Paul's Cathedral to the conference venue of St. George’s Cathedral. The walk will be guided by Pilgrims to Rome's vice-Chair Brian Mooney, who has walked both to Rome and back, and trustee Eamonn Mullally, an official City of London tour guide. Please book the walk separately from the conference.

The official conference events will begin at 1 pm at Amigo Hall at St. George’s Cathedral, Southwark. Tea and coffee will be served from 12.30 pm.

The conference and walk are free to members. If you are a member, please enter the promo code included in the most recent e-newsletter or email [email protected] to receive it directly. If you are not yet a member, consider joining today to receive free entry to the walk and the conference: Become a member

A Welcome by The Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome by Nick Dunne (Chair)

Talks:

Ben Eley - The Via Francigena and the Via Sacra (Western Front Way)

In two stages over 104 days, Ben connected one of Europe’s oldest and one of its newest pilgrim paths, the Via Francigena and the Via Sacra. On his journey to Rome, Ben deviated from the Francigena at various points throughout France by following the Via Sacra, or Western Front Way. The Via Sacra realises the dream of a young soldier, Alexander Douglas Gillespie, who imagined the creation of 'a fine broad road in the No Man’s Land between the lines, with paths for pilgrims on foot'. Ben will discuss his motivations for incorporating the Via Sacra in his journey to Rome and share details of his experience on this route of remembrance.

Sandy Brown and Nicole Bukaty - The Sud: Continuing Your Journey South of Rome

The new Cicerone guidebook for the Via Francigena of the South, or 'the Sud' as it is often called, extends the Via Francigena from Rome to the heel of Italy in Santa Maria di Leuca. The route takes in the cities of Bari, Brindisi and Lecce and follows paths through mountains, low hills, vast olive groves and along the coastlines of the Tyrrhenian, Ardriatic and Ionian seas. Experienced guidebook authors Sandy Brown and Nicole Bukaty will detail why they are passionate about this southern extension of the Francigena, inspiring the audience to pack their rucksacks and embark on their next pilgrimage.

Update - 'The Francigena Britannica'

An update on Pilgrims to Rome's extension of the Francigena from London to Canterbury which in October 2024 was recognised with the European Assocation of the Vie Francigene as an official extension of the Via Francigena.

Q&A Pilgrim Panel

Come prepared with all your planning questions for the expert pilgrim panel.

Volunteer with the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome

CPR trustees and volunteers will be available to talk to anyone who would be interested in helping our work supporting pilgrims on the Via Francigena. The more volunteers we have, the more great work we can do to promote the wonderful Via Francigena!

Credentials and guidebooks

You will be able to purchase Pilgrims to Rome credentials, badges and guidebooks on the day. Credit cards accepted.

Join us or renew your membership

Membership secretary Ciaran Prendergast will be available to sign up new members or to renew any lapsed memberships. We will be able to accept card payments and you will receive your membership pack immediately, including your Pilgrims to Rome credentials and badge. If you prefer not to wait - sign up on our website: Pilgrims to Rome Membership. Members are entitled to attend the conference and guided walk for free.

Social Drinks!

From 3.30 onwards, we will start to move on to the Three Stags Pub for more opportunities to ask planning questions to experienced pilgrims and to share Francigena stories.

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Start Location for the walk: Between the steps at the West End of St Pauls Cathedral and the statue of Queen Anne (Across the street from the Five Guys fast food shop).

Getting to the walk start point:

London Underground

• St Paul's: 3 minute walk (270m) served by the Central line.

• Mansion House: 6 minute walk (450m) served by the District and Circle lines.

• Blackfriars: 7 minute walk (500m) served by the District and Circle lines.

• Bank: 10 minute walk (750m) served by the Central, Northern and Waterloo & City lines, and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

Train

• City Thameslink: 4 minute walk (300m).

• Blackfriars: 7 minute walk (500m).

• Cannon Street: 9 minute walk (750m).

• Liverpool Street: 19 minute walk (1.5km).

Bus

Routes 4, 8, 15, 17, 23, 25, 26, 56, 76, 100, 172, 242, 521 all stop near the Cathedral.

https://www.stpauls.co.uk/how-to-find-us

Getting to the conference venue: Amigo Hall, St. George’s Cathedral (RC), Southwark.

The Cathedral and the Amigo Hall main entrances are in Lambeth Road, (SE1 6HR).

The Cathedral is a short walk from Lambeth North Underground Station (Bakerloo Line), and London Waterloo, Southwark and Elephant & Castle stations are also nearby and within 10-15 minutes’ walk.

https://stgeorgescathedral.org.uk/

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

St George's Cathedral, Southwark, Westminster Bridge Road, London, United Kingdom