A pilgrimage organized by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) began with the promise of an audience with Pope Francis but ended with pilgrims being in Rome for the election of Pope Leo XIV.

A dozen Canadians, including Montreal Archbishop Christian Lépine, national director Marie-Claude Lalonde and Mario Bard, director of communications ACN Canada, joined a group of 1,000 pilgrims from 23 countries in Rome between May 7-10. 

The Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage was designed to lead pilgrims in the footsteps of the martyrs of the early Church and, according to the promotional material, “to witness, pray and stand in solidarity with Christians who still suffer for their faith today.”

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When the pilgrimage was first announced, plans included an audience with Pope Francis and the benefactors of the pontifical charity. With the death of Pope Francis on April 21, pilgrims knew that special audience could no longer be part of the itinerary but could not know they would be present in the Eternal City for the conclave.

Bard told The Catholic Register that pilgrims were at the Basilica of St. John Lateran for the opening Mass of the pilgrimage on May 7 when people began to receive notifications on their phones that a new pope had been elected. Bard said that “screams of joy” greeted the news. 

Marco Mencaglia, projects director at ACN International, said “we were lucky enough to hear the announcement of the 'Habemus Papam.’ ”

“It was a moment of grace, which we will all remember and carry in our hearts every time we see Leo XIV.”

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Many pilgrims began the hour-long walk from the basilica to St. Peter’s Square to try to be present for the announcement from the balcony. The Canadians, who had several pilgrims with mobility issues, opted to get back on the minibus to head back to the hotel. They were within striking distance of St. Peter’s when one pulled out their tablet to watch the proceedings remotely.

“Of course, there was a certain disappointment because they would have loved to see Pope Leo XIV in person, but they were happy to be there, and to be in Rome at that time,” said Bard.

Bard said a highlight of the pilgrimage was the Way of the Cross at the Church of St. Andrea della Valle on May 9.

“The usual stations were replaced by stories of Christians oppressed and persecuted for their faith, which were recounted and prayed over by the pilgrims,” said Lalonde. “We had stations by country where we had testimonies of people experiencing persecution, or the testimony of people who have witnessed modern martyrdom. So many Canadians were moved by this; that was one of the most moving times of the pilgrimage, I would say.” 

Another highlight was when pilgrims had an opportunity to visit the tomb of Pope Francis at the Basilica of St. Maria Maggiore.

“There were so many people, and I'm sure many people are not even big believers, big Catholics, but many people wanted to pay their respects to Pope Francis,” said Bard. “We were lucky to pass in front of the tomb and after that, to participate in the last Mass of the pilgrimage.”

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Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, ACN international president, summed up the mission of ACN for the pilgrims during his homily. 

“To help Christ in His work of salvation, to help Him make Himself known, to make Himself loved, to help Christ save humanity by supporting the life of the Church, above all where it encounters the greatest difficulties.”