Italy Unveils 1,546Km Pilgrimage Route Honoring St Francis

The route, named Il Cammino della Luce (The Way of Francis – The Way of Light), incorporates existing paths, including the Way of St Francis connecting Florence and Rome, and leads walkers from Abruzzo to Assisi via Florence and La Verna. Along the route, 22 Franciscan sites are accessible, such as the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, Hermitage of the Carceri, and Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Tourism Minister Gianmarco Mazzi called it a 'great spiritual itinerary' through places tied to St Francis, noting the launch aligns with the centenary celebrations, the nativity scene's World Heritage nomination, and Pope Francis's visit to Assisi on 6 August for a youth meeting. The ministry described the project as a 'unified synthesis' of walks inspired by the saint's passage and the Franciscan Order's history.