One thousand five hundred and forty-six kilometers across Abruzzo, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Marche, Tuscany, and Umbria. The roads and trails are all entirely accessible on foot and have been identified based on a historical-critical evaluation conducted by the National Committee for the Eighth Centenary of the Death of Saint Francis. Final destination Assisi. Where Pope Leo XIV went on a pastoral visit last Thursday (there were thousands of young people, coming from different European countries) for the 800 years since the death of the Patron Saint of Italy occurred on October 3, 1226. It is the “The Path of Francis – The Path of Light” presented in Rome in the Multipurpose Hall of the Presidency of the Council by Deputy Secretary General Marco Villani. One of the projects of the National Committee for the celebrations of the eighth centenary of the death of the Saint. The path wants to be the unitary synthesis of the numerous paths and itineraries inspired by the passage of Saint Francis and which retrace the history of the Franciscan Order.
A spiritual, environmental, cultural itinerary
A great spiritual journey, inviting silence and inner listening. But it's also an environmental journey, immersed in the extraordinary nature of the lands Francis visited. The journey presents itself not only as landscapes to be traversed but also, in the spirit of the Saint of Assisi, as an immersion in the wonders of Creation. Not to mention the cultural gift these places offer, lands with an invaluable heritage of art, history, and human connections. Places to be appreciated with the added value of walking slowly: an invitation to observe, to look with different eyes, to reflect.
Following in Francis' footsteps
"Italy is enriched by a great spiritual itinerary - emphasizes the Minister of Tourism, Gianmarco Mazzi -. Through the places and values that made Saint Francis a global figure. We do so in the year of celebrations for the eighth centenary of his death and the nomination of the nativity scene for World Heritage status. E On the occasion of the Pope's visit to Assisi for a meeting with young people. It is slow, widespread, sustainable tourism, constantly growing, the most sought after by travelers." "The Way of Francis – adds Father Francesco Piloni OFM Assisi, member of the Steering Committee of the Vie e Cammini di Francesco Association – it is not a simple geographical itinerary, but an experience of profound inner transformation that, step by step, works within people and changes their perspective, revealing an unexpected horizon”.
Ten routes following the places of the Saint
The Way of Francis, inserted in the Italia.it, the official Italian tourism platform, winds its way—in ten sections—from Florence or Rimini to the sanctuary of La Verna, where Saint Francis received the stigmata. From La Verna to Assisi, which can also be reached from Rome by following the Salaria or Tiberina routes. Among the various routes are the ring of the Holy Valley of Rieti, the one from Ascoli Piceno to Assisi, and the 11 stages of the Camino in Abruzzo. All places that witnessed the passage of Saint Francis, and which have preserved traces of his distant presence and landmarks, sanctuaries, and special stops. A project, comments Undersecretary of Culture Pietro Cannella, which unites "Places, institutions, and people around a shared heritage, making culture an instrument of national cohesion and international dialogue."
