Kevin and Lisa Clayton, members of the Papal Foundation came to Rome for the annual pilgrimage. This year was a significant occasion as the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope but it was also the interregnum period after the death of Pope Francis.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE 

“It’s been beyond one’s wildest imagination,” Kevin said. “You know one of the things that we enjoy is coming back to Rome and to the Vatican and the Holy See, it’s a renewal.”

Throughout the week of pilgrimage they passed through the Holy Doors, explored the principal Roman Basilicas, participated in the liturgies and visited the tomb of Pope Francis.

Lisa shared, “We’ve been sending pictures back every day as our daughter is a religion teacher, so she’s showing them in real time what we’re seeing, the tomb of Pope Francis, all of that. They have the pictures already. So, she’s teaching her students what we’re seeing, it’s a wonderful thing.”

The Papal Foundation is an organization entirely committed to projects important to the Holy Father. Being a part of the Papal Foundation for Don and Shellie Greiner, also means being part of a deeply meaningful community.

“We’re all starting with this common set of beliefs and values,” noted Don. “We have a dedication to the faith and to the Holy Father and to doing good, to lay our gifts at his feet for him to do with as he sees fit. So it’s kind of nice — it’s a beautiful community.”

Shellie added, “You're in these special places and you're going hand in hand, going through the holy doors and the person in front of you is putting a rosary on the door and you're thinking, oh my gosh, why did he do that? And you asked those questions, and you think I should be doing the same thing. So yes, you get to meet some wonderful people.”

The members of the Papal Foundation travelled to the Eternal City together with their families. This was Henry and Theodore’s first time in Rome, coming with their grandparents who are Stewards of St. Peter.

“Going to all these basilicas and churches and seeing all these relics like St. Peter’s burial place and then St Catherine of Siena, it was really cool and eye opening and helped improve my faith in God and made me realize Catholicism is real and it’s really all there,” shared Henry.

Theodore added, “I feel like your faith is often faith-based and seeing all the artifacts here in person just strengthens your faith and let’s you know it’s been going on for longer than you realize.”

Since 1988 the Foundation has funded over 2,000 papal projects, personally chosen by John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, with an allocation of 250 million dollars in grants and scholarships. This year’s pilgrimage took place shortly after Pope Francis’ funeral, meaning the organization’s trip to Rome held extra weight in its significance.

Joe Rauenhorst, another Steward of Saint Peter, commented:

“What really struck me is the outpouring of faith and the excitement of all the people that love Pope Francis and that he touched. There are long lines to come and see his grave and being in the city whilst his legacy is being determined is fascinating.”

The Papal Foundation concluded their pilgrimage at the Cathedral of Rome – the Basilica of St John Lateran, where Cardinal Timothy Dolan celebrated their final mass of the trip.

LIVE UPDATES: POPE LEO XIV’S FIRST DAYS 

Pope Leo XIV biography launches in Rome; book available now from EWTN

Adapted by Jacob Stein

Produced by Zofia Czubak; Camera by Federico Mantova