St. Francis of Assisi Pilgrim Credentials

St. James is proud to be a designated stopping point for those walking the Via di Francesco (the Way of St. Francis), a historic pilgrimage route that winds through the beautiful Italian countryside toward Assisi. 

If you are starting your journey in Florence or just passing through, we can issue you a Pilgrim Credential (the Credenziale). As you walk, you collect stamps (timbri) from churches, monasteries, and hostels along the path to document your progress. This credential provides access to traditional pilgrim hospitality and simple lodgings and serves as a memento of your spiritual journey. We invite you to stop by the parish office to have your credential stamped or to pick up a new one as you set out.

The Journey to Assisi: History and Landscape

The Via di Francesco is a trail and a spiritual journey through the Green Heart of Italy. It follows the ancient paths walked by St. Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century as he traveled between Florence, the Rieti Valley, and Rome. Geographically, the route is beautifully diverse, taking pilgrims from the Renaissance streets of Florence into the rugged, mist-covered peaks of the Apennines and through the olive groves of the Umbrian valleys. Each step connects you to the Franciscan legacy of creation care, as the path winds through some of Italy’s most pristine forests and sacred mountain sanctuaries like La Verna.

Plan Your Route

To help you visualize your journey and plan your stages, you can find the detailed official maps and GPS tracks here:

• Official Interactive Map of the Via di Francesco

Credentials may be picked up from the Church Office, from Tuesday to Friday, between the hours of 8.30 am and 1.00 pm, or on Sunday after the 11.00 am service, from the Reverend Richard Easterling. A donation of €5 is requested to help offset the cost of printing.

If you have any questions, please email office@stjames.it or call 055 294 417 during office hours.