Pilgrims to Rome Conference 2026

The Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome will hold its annual conference on 14 March, at St. George’s Cathedral in Southwark. This event is a wonderful opportunity to hear pilgrim tales of their experiences on the Via Francigena and to learn from fellow pilgrims how to plan your own amazing journey on this historic route.

'The Transformative Experience of Pilgrimage' - our theme for 2026 will explore the ways a pilgrimage can impact and transform the lives of those who undertake them.

The day will begin at 10, for those who are able to join, with a guided walk, 'The Southwark Pilgrim Adventure', from Southwark's Church of England Cathedral to St. George's Roman Catholic Cathedral. The walk will be led by Pilgrims to Rome's vice-Chair Brian Mooney, who has walked to Rome and back, and trustee Eamonn Mullally, an official City of London tour guide who completed the Francigena last year. See below for more details about the walk. Please book the walk separately from the conference.

The official conference events will begin at 1 pm at Amigo Hall at St. George’s Cathedral, Southwark which is opposite the Imperial War Museum and close to Waterloo station. Tea and coffee will be served from 12.30 pm.

The conference and walk are free to members. If you are a member, please enter the promo code included in the most recent e-newsletter or email events@pilgrimstorome.org.uk to receive it directly. If you are not yet a member, consider joining today to receive free tickets to the walk and the conference: Become a member

Tickets - free tickets to members for the guided walk and the conference will appear in the checkout when you enter the promo code and click 'apply'. If you have any questions about tickets, please contact info@pilgrimstorome.org.uk

Conference programme:

A Welcome by The Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome by Nick Dunne (Chair)

Talks:

Rev'd Dr Robert Wainwright - Sabbatical Journey - Canterbury to Rome in 85 days

The Rev'd Dr Robert Wainwright is Chaplain and Fellow of Oriel College, one of the oldest colleges in the University of Oxford. His principal responsibility is to pray with and for the students at daily services in the college chapel, and to oversee pastoral and welfare support. In his academic work, he teaches Early Modern Church History and he has published on Covenant Theology in the Reformation.Robert was raised in Scotland by keen hill-walking parents. For his sabbatical, he walked the Via Francigena in one go between March and June 2025. He chose to walk alone, hoping to cultivate a discipline of solitude, think about theological questions, and to spend quality time with God.

Dr. Victoria Field - Silence, simplicity and effort: pilgrimage and transformation

Victoria Field works as a writer and poetry therapist. She has published poetry, a memoir, translations, edited books on therapeutic writing, and has had two plays professionally produced. She is a Sessional Academic and an Associate in the Academy for Sustainable Futures at Canterbury Christ Church University where her doctoral research focused on narratives of transformation in pilgrimage. Together with her husband Eduard Heyning, she completed the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome in May 2025, walking it in stages over a period of seven years. Her earlier experience on the Camino to Santiago resulted in a memoir ‘Baggage: A Book of Leavings’ (published by Francis Boutle in 2016). She and Eduard collaborate on music and poetry performances, usually in sacred spaces.

Update - 'The Francigena Britannica'

Updates on the Francigena Britannica and news from our European partners on the route across Europe - An update on Pilgrims to Rome's extension of the Francigena from London to Canterbury which in October 2024 was recognised by the European Association of the Vie Francigene as an official extension of the Via Francigena. We will also have the latest on a new route into Rome and future plans on the Via Francigena

Q&A Pilgrim Panel

Come prepared with all your planning questions for the expert pilgrim panel.

Volunteer with the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome:

Pilgrims to Rome trustees and volunteers will be available to talk to anyone interested in helping our work supporting pilgrims on the Via Francigena. We need volunteers to help with social media, IT, running our on-line shop and membership. We're also looking for people living on or close to the Francigena Britannica to help us care for and promote the route. The more volunteers we have, the more great work we can do to promote the wonderful Via Francigena!

Credentials and guidebooks

You will be able to purchase Pilgrims to Rome credentials, badges, memoirs and guidebooks on the day. Credit cards accepted. If you would like to pre-order items to pick up at the conference, please email shop@pilgrimstorome.org.uk. New members enjoy a 20% discount on shop orders.

Join us or renew your membership

Membership secretary Ciaran Prendergast will be available to sign up new members or to renew any lapsed memberships. We will be able to accept card payments and you will receive your membership pack immediately, including your Pilgrims to Rome credentials and badge. If you prefer not to wait - sign up on our website: Pilgrims to Rome Membership. Members are entitled to attend the conference and guided walk for free.

Social Drinks!

From 4.15 onwards, we will start to move on to the Three Stags Pub for more opportunities to ask planning questions to experienced pilgrims and to share Francigena stories.

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Guided Walk: The Southwark Pilgrim Adventure (begins at 10am and will finish at the conference venue)

Description: Embark on a guided tour between the historic Southwark, Church of England, Cathedral and the magnificent St George’s, Roman Catholic, Cathedral. Join this journey through time as we explore an area often overlooked, yet brimming with stories stretching back to the very roots of London itself—an area born from the ancient Roman settlement that would one day blossom into the bustling capital we know today. Along the way, expect to wander along lanes where Shakespeare may once have strolled, uncover medieval secrets hidden behind modern façades, and hear tales of colourful characters, from intrepid traders and rebellious playwrights to legendary fire fighters. As we proceed, we’ll delve into the lives of Londoners who made this area their home, discover the vibrant markets and pubs that have shaped local culture, and celebrate the enduring institutions that continue to weave together the rich tapestry of everyday life in Southwark. Prepare for surprises, a dash of drama, and a hearty dose of Southwark’s unique charm!

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Start Location for the walk

We start outside the Southwark Cathedral coffee shop, on the south bank of the Thames, close to London Bridge at 10:00 AM. Pilgrims are encouraged to arrive a few minutes before 10:00 so we can make a prompt start. The tour will last approximately 2 hours, and we plan to reach Saint Georges cathedral by 12:00, noon.

Getting to the conference venue: Amigo Hall, St. George’s Cathedral (RC), Southwark.

The Cathedral and the Amigo Hall main entrances are in Lambeth Road, (SE1 6HR), opposite the Imperial War Museum.

The Cathedral is a short walk from Lambeth North Underground Station (Bakerloo Line), and London Waterloo, Southwark and Elephant & Castle stations are also nearby and within 10-15 minutes’ walk.

https://stgeorgescathedral.org.uk/