Members of the Gozo Cathedral Chapter have been in Rome for a pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the Cathedral Chapter.

The tour opened with a Mass on the Tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican led by Cardinal Mario Grech, where the members of the Chapter also had the opportunity to visit the excavations under the Basilica of St. Peter.

They also visited and celebrated Mass in the Major Basilicas of San Giovanni Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore and San Paolo Fuori le Mura.On the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception, the tour reached its climax with a private audience with Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace.

For this audience the Chapter was joined by Cardinal Mario Grech and the Bishop of Gozo Anton Teuma. The members of the Chapter had the opportunity to have a special moment together with the Pope.The Chapter presented a replica of the staff of Santa Marija, a work in silver, to Pope Francis and a copy of the book on the Cathedral of the Assumption, published a few years ago.

Pope Francis presented a skullcap to the Chapter, which will be placed in the Cathedral Museum in memory of this historic tour.

Photos: Diocese of Gozo / L’Osservatore Romano

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