Cardinal Francis Leo is leading a diverse group of Toronto Catholics on a Jubilee pilgrimage to Rome this week. Over the course of the next seven days, The Catholic Register's Quinton Amundson will be with the pilgrims step for step, and filing regular dispatches on their spiritual journey. 

Travelling in the company of Cardinal Francis Leo, 108 Catholics from 40 different Archdiocese of Toronto parishes landed in Rome Nov. 11 for a week-long Jubilee pilgrimage.

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Jet-lagged but eager, the pilgrims of all ages and backgrounds hit the ground running with  visits to the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus after the overnight flight from Pearson International.

During the opening pilgrimage Mass at the Church of Santa Maria in Traspontina, a basilica entrusted to the Carmelite religious order, Leo spoke in his homily about the petitions that could be offered to Jesus during this week-long sojourn in the Eternal City.

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“I’m sure you, like me, are bringing Him intentions,” said Leo. “Perhaps you have a specific grace to ask of The Lord. Perhaps there is healing, a relationship, a job, or a difficulty – or perhaps in thanksgiving for the graces already received.”

Ideally, by visiting the “heart of the Catholic Church – the city of saints and martyrs,” said the cardinal, the hope is that when he and the pilgrims “go back in a week or so, we are not the same persons who left Pearson on the 10th.”

Before departing for the City of Seven Hills, each pilgrim, including this reporter, was bestowed with a pilgrim book containing the prayers, readings, psalms and hymns for each of the daily liturgical services celebrated by Leo within the major papal basilicas and other historically notable houses of worship.

Leo alluded to the collect prayer extensively during his homily, calling for believers of Christ to be “firm in faith, joyful in hope and active in charity.” He elucidated that “joy is a product of love,” and it sparks action on behalf of God.

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“Love is not just an emotion in our hearts,” said Leo. “Because of our love of the Lord, we get going. We become active in spreading His Kingdom. Because of love of Him, it activates us into building His Kingdom of justice, peace and holiness.”

November 12 marks the first full day of the pilgrimage. Participants experienced Pope Leo XIV’s General Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square, completed the pilgrim’s passage through the St. Peter’s Basilica Holy Door, and celebrated Mass at the Altar of the Chair, presided by Cardinal Leo, in the basilica.