After starting in Lucca twenty-five days and 267 miles ago, I arrived at St. Peter’s Square. I absolutely love this part of the Via Francigena and am so very, very grateful to my booster fans—couldn’t have done it without you.
My first view of Rome came from high on a plateau from which I had to descend. That happened through 16 switchbacks on uneven cobblestone trail that made for slow walking. Arriving in Rome was in stark contrast with the solitude of the rest of the walk that went through rather remote rural landscapes— very hard to handle when you’re tired.
Interestingly, my journey took 25 days in line with 2025 Jubilee celebrations. The testimonial certificate at the pilgrims’ office took me over an hour to get mainly due to tour guides having head-of-line priority. But it was well worth it. The line was many times longer when I left.
On day 22, I encountered a placard, a part of which I’m copying here: “…We sincerely hope that, at the end of your journey, “not only will you have walked the path, but the path will have transformed you".
Signed: The inhabitants of Capranica”
Yes. This walk has transformed me—how can it not, when you have to reach deep down so many times just to keep going to finish the day.
