Pilgrimage: The Road To Rome

The pilgrims are on the tenth day of their journey, with 65km still to go before they reach Rome. Today’s route takes them through an isolated and overgrown wood which is a total revelation to Mehreen, who’s never experienced anything quite like it before.

The group arrive in Sutri, a medieval town with an even older history. They visit a magnificent Roman amphitheatre, and the pilgrims don’t hesitate to take centre stage. Lesley auditions for ‘producer’ Les, fittingly with a piece from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, while Maximus Gregorius (AKA Greg) is challenged to a gladiatorial tussle by Brendan.

But Sutri has even older archaeological remains. Stephen, Mehreen and Les visit a church which was originally Etruscan and pagan, before becoming Roman, then Christian and finally Catholic. They marvel at the famous pilgrim frescoes dating back to the Middle Ages and Stephen questions how the notion of religious belief began.

Once they’ve been collected from Sutri by a Franciscan nun with a reputation as a fast driver, they head to her convent, their hostel for the night, and revel in the comparative luxury on offer. A washing machine and towels! But the next morning they’re back on the road, for their longest walk of the pilgrimage - 18km.

Greg takes charge and the boys set themselves a challenge: to finish today’s walk in under three hours. Despite being the oldest, Les gamely sets out to lead.

Next day, it’s back to business while they struggle with the heat and the hills - all but Katy, who drops out because of her blisters.

As they reach the outskirts of Rome they walk through the Parco Di Veio, and Greg and Brendan explore a tunnel dug out by the Etruscans for transport and irrigation. Surrounded by nature, it gives Brendan a moment of reflection and reinforces his connection with the natural world.

With Rome on the horizon, all the pilgrims begin to reflect on their journey and are triumphant when they get their first view of the Eternal City from Monte Mario park. For the final short descent into Rome they’re rejoined by Katy, and when they enter St Peter’s Square they are all overwhelmed by its Renaissance beauty.

Then something extraordinary happens: they discover Pope Francis has agreed to meet them in a private audience...

Pictured: Les Dennis, Katie Brand, Stephen K Amos, Greg Rutherford, Lesley Joseph, Dana Scallon, Brendan Cole and Mehreen Baig at the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican

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