Christian Rome Tour: Pope Francis Tomb & Papal Basilicas

Step inside Rome’s Holy Doors and uncover rare Christian relics on this journey

A 3-hour guided tour of three Major Papal Basilicas in Rome (Santa Maria Maggiore, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and Saint John in Lateran) with transfers and an English-speaking guide. You visit the resting place of Pope Francis, see Catholic relics and artworks, stand in the papal throne room, and walk the Scala Santa, the chapel housing the stairs of Christ. Free time at each stop lets you photograph, rest, or browse the gift shop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore45m · entry included
2. Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls50m · entry included
3. Basilica of St. John Lateran50m · entry included

Visit three major Vatican Basilicas

• Meet guide at Santa Maria Maggiore
• Explore Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
• Visit Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
• Free time to explore Saint Paul Basilica
• Visit Saint John in Lateran Basilica
• See the throne of the Pope
• Visit the Scala Santa chapel

The experience

Your guide meets you at Santa Maria Maggiore, the most significant Marian Basilica in the world and Pope Francis's resting place. Inside, you'll see some of the most important Catholic relics in Rome, displayed within an ancient structure that has stood for centuries. The basilica's scale and the weight of what it holds (the relics, the papal tomb, the artwork) become clear as you move through it with someone who knows what you're standing in front of.

The second stop is Saint Paul Outside the Walls, once the largest Catholic church in Rome. This Major Papal Basilica is where Saint Paul, the Patron Saint to Gentiles, rests. Your guide walks you through the space, then leaves time for you to explore on your own: to sit, to look, to move at your own pace. From there, you travel to Saint John in Lateran, the most important Catholic church in Rome and the world. Built in the time of Constantine the Great, it houses the papal throne itself. But the tour doesn't end in the basilica: your guide takes you to the Scala Santa, the holiest of all Catholic chapels, where you can walk the stairs of Christ.

Transfers between the three basilicas are included, which saves the hours of navigation that would otherwise break up the morning. You receive your guide's name and phone number the night before, so there's no confusion about where to meet. The group stays small, and at each basilica you have free time to photograph, visit the gift shop, or simply rest before moving on.

What’s included

• Guided tour with an English-speaking guide.
• transfers between the three basilicas.
• entry to Santa Maria Maggiore, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and Saint John in Lateran.
• access to the Scala Santa chapel.
• free time at each stop to photograph, rest, or visit the gift shop.
• your guide's contact information sent the night before.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (16 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by E & D Guided Tours

Is this one for you?Three hours is short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon without reshaping the rest of your day, but long enough to spend real time inside each basilica instead of rushing through. If you're traveling without a car or don't want to navigate between three separate sites on your own, the included transfers and guide remove that planning entirely.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3).

What is the Scala Santa and where is it on this tour?

The Scala Santa is the holiest Catholic chapel in Rome, housing the stairs of Christ. It's your final stop, located within the Saint John in Lateran complex. Your guide takes you there after you've seen the papal throne room.

How much free time do I get at each basilica?

The tour includes free time at each of the three stops so you can photograph, rest, or visit the gift shop at your own pace, though the exact amount varies depending on the flow of the group through each space.

Will I see Pope Francis's tomb on this tour?

Yes. Pope Francis's resting place is at Santa Maria Maggiore, your first stop, and your guide will show you where it is within the basilica.

What are the Catholic relics mentioned in the description?

Santa Maria Maggiore houses some of the most important Catholic relics in Rome. Your guide will point them out and explain their significance as you move through the basilica.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the first basilica?

Transfers between the three basilicas are included in the tour. You'll meet your guide at the front of Santa Maria Maggiore. Wait in the center of the square, not inside the basilica, so your guide can find you.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible as well. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.