206 Tours

04/27/2025

Happy Birthday to our wonderful team member, Alexandra Bardales! We are so grateful for all that you do for 206 Tours and our pilgrims. Wishing you all of God's blessings!

04/25/2025

Pope Francis chose to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) in Rome
This breaks with the tradition of most popes who are interred in the Vatican’s grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.
His decision reflects his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his desire for a simple burial.
According to his will, his tomb will be in the Pauline Chapel, near the venerated icon of *Salus Populi Romani* (Salvation of the Roman People), which he visited over 100 times during his papacy before and after apostolic journeys.
The tomb, prepared in a small recess near the chapel, is simple, in the earth, without decoration, and inscribed only with “Franciscus” in Latin, as per his wishes.

The last pope buried at St. Mary Major was Clement IX in 1669, and Francis will be the first pope buried outside the Vatican since Leo XIII in 1903. His funeral is set for April 26, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square, after which his body will be taken to St. Mary Major for burial. The cost of the burial is covered by a benefactor, as arranged by Francis with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas.

The Story: The Basilica of St. Mary Major, or Di Santa Maria Maggiore, is one of the four major Basilicas of Rome. This is one of the oldest and most important shrines in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Built in 432, this Basilica was one of the first known Churches to honor […]

04/25/2025

Today is the last day of His Holiness Pope Francis’ body Lying in State
Viewing hours are 7:00 AM–7:00 PM

Funeral Mass is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City.

The funeral will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and concelebrated by patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests worldwide.

It will include the “Ultima Commendatio” and “Valedictio”, followed by the start of the *Novemdiales* (nine days of mourning).
The funeral is designed to be simpler than past papal funerals, reflecting Pope Francis’ preference for humility, with a single zinc-lined wooden coffin.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners are expected at the funeral of His Holiness
Including world leaders:
U.S. President Donald Trump,
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prince William (representing the UK),
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Argentina’s President Javier Milei.

206 Tours guided groups are there praying and mourning live. Let us unite in prayer with all.

Livestream and Broadcast Options
* Vatican Media YouTube Channel: Vatican News Live
* EWTN: Broadcasting the funeral on its television network and streaming on its website and YouTube channel.
* CatholicTV: Broadcasting the funeral on its television network and streaming on its website and YouTube channel.

2,000 police officers, 400 traffic personnel, anti-terrorism units, no-fly zones, and anti-drone technology are deployed to manage security

After the Mass, the coffin will be taken to St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial, per Pope Francis’ wishes, marking the first papal burial outside the Vatican in over a century.

04/24/2025

There is still time to join Fr. Charles Obinwa on this 10-day Pilgrimage to Ireland! On July 20 – 29, 2025, visit, Dublin, Tipperary, Cliffs Of Moher, Galway, and more. This incredible journey is the perfect way to grow in your faith this summer.

Book now: www.206tours.com/frobinwa

Learn about the life of St. Patrick, who brought Catholicism to the Irish people. Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, a famous Marian Apparition site. Open yourself to the message of Knock, and to the renewal of faith and prayer, which is so vital to our lives as Catholics.

04/24/2025

To fly domestically in US, as of May 7th, you will need to bring REAL ID.

In lieu of REAL ID you can bring:
- A valid U.S. passport (or passport card) or
- DHS trusted traveler cards, such as
Global Entry card
Department of Defense ID
permanent resident card
border crossing cards

The REAL ID passed into law 10 years ago

04/23/2025

Set sail on a Catholic Pilgrimage via cruise ship!
https://www.206tours.com/cms/f-cruises

Journey to some of the world's most Sacred Catholic sites all from the comfort of a first-class cruise ship with 206 Tours.
On a “Catholic Cruise” with 206 Tours, you can expect a deeply spiritual experience all from the comfort of first-class cruise accommodations. Just as with all our Pilgrimage offerings, you will be accompanied by a Catholic Priest who celebrates Mass and is available for Reconciliation and Spiritual Activities each day. A professional local Catholic tour guide will also es**rt you for all land touring excursions to the most important Catholic sites in each city you visit. Choose from a variety of tour destinations including Asia, Alaska, Egypt, and more.

Deepen your faith by cruising towards Christ!

04/23/2025

The Sistine Chapel will be closed to visitors from Monday, April 28th until the new pope is elected.
The rest of the he Vatican Museum will remain open.

04/22/2025

St Peter's Basilica will remain open for the faithful who wish to pay respects to Pope Francis, the Holy Doors of St Peter's will be closed until April 26th. Holy Doors at St. Mary Major will be sealed on April 26th.

04/22/2025

The Holy Door will be sealed shut for Pilgrims passage:
St. Peter's Basilica: April 23rd – April 26th
St. Mary Major: April 26th, where Pope Francis will be laid to rest.

04/22/2025

Conclave - How a New Pope is Chosen
Following Pope Francis’ death, on Easter Monday, the Vatican will enter a phase it has not seen in 20 years—The Papal Interregnum.

1.4 billion Catholics, and the world, will closely watch.
What happens next, is one of the most secretive rituals in the world - election of new pope.

Inside the Sistine Chapel, behind Vatican walls the cardinals will gather and will be kept in isolation, therefore the name conclave the Latin "con clavis," which means "with key," all are locked up while they deliberate and pray.

It can take days or weeks.
They vote up to 4 times a day.
They pause to pray.
They Talk. Vote Again. Sleep. Repeat.
Until one of them gets to be the next pope.
All eyes are on chimney.
White smoke, indicates that new pope was elected.
Black smoke indicates that no new Pope has been chosen, and further voting is needed.
Right after the white smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel, a cardinal opens the curtains steps out onto the balcony to formally announce, he only says two words in Latin: Habemus Papam “We have a pope.”

And just like that, the Church has a new shepherd.

The conclave gathers the College of Cardinals – from around the world. Though there are more than 240 cardinals, only those under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and the number of cardinal electors is limited to 120.
The cardinals will choose next can reshape how the world sees faith, Church, justice, tradition, and mercy.
As in all transitions of power, most prefects of Vatican offices lose their jobs when a pope dies.

Over the next two weeks 206 Tours will have all together, over 400 pilgrims in Rome, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Let us pray for the pope, all cardinals, pilgrims, dignitaries headed to Rome and especially for the church.

04/22/2025

Join Fr. Matt Libra, Sarah Montague, and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on a Pilgrimage to the Best of Poland! Begin the new year exploring the land of Saints as you walk in the footsteps of St. John Paul II, St. Faustina & St. Maximilian Kolbe.

Book now: www.206tours.com/frlibra

From December 28, 2025 – January 6, 2026, you will be immersed in the rich Catholic history of Poland. Your faith will be enriched through daily Mass celebrated at the country's holiest sites and shrines. See the humble beginnings of some of the Catholic Church's most beloved Saints! Learn the story of Divine Mercy and how you can better live out the messages of Our Lord to St. Faustina in your daily life.

04/22/2025

Pope’s Funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26th at 10:00 AM, as announced by the Holy See.

The funeral will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will be simple and streamlined compared as desired by Pope Francis.

Heads of State from around the world will attend the funeral. President Trump's presence has already been confirmed.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 at 9:00 AM, the coffin of Pope Francis will be carried in procession from the Chapel of Casa Santa Marta to the Papal Basilica of St. Peter, as provided for in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis.
Then it will remain there for the people to view until the funeral.

04/21/2025

206 Tours was honored to partner with Franciscan University of Steubenville to help coordinate their recent Parents' Week Austria Experience. Parents had the opportunity to travel to Austria to visit their student(s) studying abroad with Franciscan in Austria. The trip included a number of cultural events as parents had a taste of their student's incredible experience living oversees for a semester. During their time oversees, students live and learn in the Kartause, a restored 14th century Carthusian monastery in the foothills of the Austrian Alps. 206 Tours is proud to partner with Franciscan to help make family memories like these possible.

04/21/2025

𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬
12.17.36 - 04.21.25
Requiescat in Pace

04/21/2025

The canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, scheduled for April 27th, has been "suspended".
The Vatican Press Office just announced the suspension of the canonization ceremony due to the pontiff's passing. The Youth Jubilee will still proceed.
206 Tours scheduled pilgrimages will still proceed as planned, as all services have been paid for, and guaranteed.

04/21/2025

Requiescat

Pope Francis Holy Roman Pontiff


Papacy
From 13 March 2013
Until 21 April 2025

Date of Birth
17 December 1936

Born to Eternal Life
21 April 2025


Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei,
requiescant in pace.


~Amen~

04/20/2025

Happy Easter!! Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!

Today is a day of great rejoicing as we celebrate the glorious Resurrection of Our Savior.

On behalf of our entire team here at 206 Tours, we pray that Our Resurrected Lord will bless you and your loved ones abundantly this Easter season and fill your hearts with His joy.

04/18/2025

Happy Birthday to our team member, Dominic Bonvissuto! Thank you for being a part of 206 Tours and we pray that God may bless you always.