Walking through Rome on the Seven Church pilgrimage offers deep encounters with saints and history while following in St. Philip Neri's creative footsteps of evangelization. Father Jonathan Meyer leads us through this walk while sharing his knowledge of Rome's basilicas, catacombs, and traditions from his years of study there.

Learn:
• How St. Philip Neri reformed Rome in the 16th century through creative evangelization and joyful witness
• What basilicas are considered the "Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome"
• A little bit about each of these churches

Looking to experience the Jubilee in 2025? It's not too late! Visit versoministry.com/jubilee for trip dates and more information.

What makes St. Peter’s Basilica more than just the biggest church in the world? In this Jubilee Year episode, Joan talks with Fr. Matthew Kuhn, a former tour guide, about the sacred architecture, deep symbolism, and unexpected beauty that make St. Peter’s not just visually grandiose, but full of meaning.

They discuss everything from the Pietà to the Baldacchino, and from the foot-worn statue of St. Peter to the quiet presence of Eastern saints in the West. But more than a list of facts, this episode is about how stone becomes catechesis, and how the Basilica draws you into something larger than yourself. It is a guide for seeing with more than just your eyes.

Fr. Kuhn reflects on how the basilica’s very design communicates the mystery of the Church through proportion, beauty, and balance. He explains how features like the dome, the Baldacchino, and the Chair of Peter are not just visually impressive, but spiritually intentional, drawing the pilgrim’s attention toward the Eucharist and the communion of saints.

As the Church continues in its Jubilee Year, this episode also serves as a spiritual primer for anyone making (or dreaming of making) a pilgrimage to Rome. This conversation will help you enter more deeply into what St. Peter’s was meant to be: a witness to the living faith of the Church.

For photos, history, and more about the basilica itself, visit the official site: basilicasanpietro.va/en

What lies beneath the world's largest church? Venture with us into the underground excavations known as the Scavi, where family tombs, ancient graffiti and the bones of a first-century man converge into one of Christianity's most remarkable archaeological discoveries.

Father Tom Szydlik, a former Scavi tour guide and priest of the Diocese of Peoria, takes us on a captivating journey through the hidden necropolis beneath St. Peter's Basilica. The story unfolds like a historical thriller—complete with secret excavations during World War II, disappointing false leads, and an unexpected discovery that would confirm what Christians had believed for two millennia.

We trace the extraordinary lengths Emperor Constantine went to when building the first St. Peter's Basilica directly over Peter's tomb, literally moving a mountain to honor the first pope. Father Szydlik explains how Peter's martyrdom in Nero's Circus, his humble burial, and the continuous veneration of his grave created the foundation for Vatican City as we know it today.

The archaeological detective story reaches its climax with the discovery of bones belonging to a robust man in his 60s, wrapped in imperial purple cloth, missing only his feet—consistent with someone who had been crucified upside down. This tangible connection to the fisherman who became the rock on which Christ built his Church offers a powerful message of hope and divine providence.

Whether you're planning a pilgrimage to Rome or simply fascinated by the intersection of faith and archaeology, this episode reveals why these underground excavations represent not just historical curiosity but a profound spiritual connection to the earliest days of Christianity. Join us as we explore how God brings victory even from the most unlikely circumstances.