Day 10 – Arrivederci, Roma
I’m writing this on the bus ride back to the airport as we prepare to say goodbye to Rome. What a trip it’s been! Ten days filled with unforgettable sights, deep spiritual moments, and delicious food. It will definitely take a few days to decompress and truly reflect on just how meaningful this experience was.
Yesterday was our final full day to explore the Eternal City, and we certainly made the most of it. We began with a visit inside the iconic Colosseum, followed by wandering through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill—walking in the footsteps of emperors and saints alike. There’s something humbling about standing in the ruins where so much of Western history unfolded.
In the afternoon, we traded in ancient ruins for rolling pins at a pasta-making class, and it was an absolute blast! We made ravioli, fettuccine, and tiramisu from scratch. Not only was it fun, but the food was incredible—definitely one of the tastiest meals of the trip.
Later, we visited the Capuchin Crypt and Museum, often referred to as the “Bone Church.” This was unlike anything I’ve seen before—beautiful, eerie, and thought-provoking all at once. It’s a place that really makes you ponder life, death, and what lies beyond.
We wrapped up our final night in Rome with a group dinner hosted by our archdiocese, sharing stories, laughter, and gratitude. Of course, no farewell to Rome would be complete without one last gelato.
As I sit here heading toward our 10-hour flight to Miami and the 3-hour drive home to Key West, I’m filled with gratitude. We have seen and learned so much in just 10 days. I’ll be taking some time this week to reflect and figure out what the true highlights were for me—and I’ll share those in another post soon.
Until then… blessings to all. And Rome—grazie di tutto. You will forever hold a special place in my heart
