How to get certificate

[frida1]

Does anyone have current info on the easiest way to get a certificate in Rome? We have credentials stamped since San Bernardo and arrive in Rome in a few days. Thanks.

 

[timr]

You will find some recentbdiscussion on this on FB. OPR (Opera Pellegrinagio Romani) did it for me. With your back to St Peter's it is to the right in front of you, before you enter Via Cociliazione. Next to a semi permanent truck selling (holy) tat! Be prepared.....the certificate is rather underwhelming. And they don't register you in any way. But still.
If you stay in the well known odpedale in Trastevere I am told they can do it also. Arrival in Rome a bit of an anticlimax for many. You instantly become lost amongst thousands of tourists. But savour your personal moment. And it's a fabulous city. Hugely annoying........but fabulous. Buon Cammino.

 

[caminka]

I think there is good info on the via francigena forum (also run by ivar), with some sketches if I remember correctly.

 

[jl]

There are a number of options on this link. I got my last Testimonium from the pilgrim office which is option number 3. All the best, Janet

https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/testimonium/

 

[TimH]

timr’s Information is exactly how we got ours a few weeks ago and it is terribly terribly underwhelming. One minute you are embarked on a great adventure and then it is all over and no one cares, including the folks handing out testimoniums. We even had to write our own names on them. It seems to really be a tour office and they just do the certificates because someone needs to. That said the Vatican is an awesome place to end. Well worth doing a tour and getting a bit of history of the place.

 

[caminka]

this is @William Marques post from the via francigena forum. I hope it's okay to cross-post it like this?

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In order to qualify for the Testimonium Peregrinationis ad Limina Petri (certificate of pilgrimage) – similar to the “Compostela” for those who have walked, cycled or ridden to Santiago – you must be in possession of a credential (pilgrim passport), have had it stamped each day.

To receive a Testimonium, pilgrims must have walked the last 140kms starting preferably from Acquapendente and passing through Bolsena, Montefiascone, Viterbo,Vertralla, Sutri, La Storta to Rome.

Those who cycle should have covered at least 400kms eg starting at Lucca.

In 2014 there were two places where the Testimonium could be obtained but the provision of testimoniums is not yet done in the well organised way that compostelas are issued in Santiago so this may change without notice:

1] Uffici della Canonica di San Pietro in the Vatican City. This is open on Mon–Tues, Thurs–Sat, 9.30am–12.30pm. To get there go first to the Piazza del Sant’ Uffizio on the opposite side of the Piazza di San Pietro from the one where you entered and go through the Ingresso del Petriano (entrance), where the Swiss guards on duty will ask you what you want and direct you to the police booth next to it to scan any bags you have with you. You will then be directed to an office on the right, where your details will be recorded, your passport handed over and a visitor’s badge given to you before you are directed to the Palazzo della Canonica (now to your left). Be prepared for some of the officials, guards or policemen on duty not to be familiar with the Testimonium, so a certain level of Italian is useful.

Once inside you will be invited to sit down at a table and write any comments/reflections you may wish in the pilgrim book, and then be asked to fill in the details of yourself, your journey and the reason(s) for undertaking the pilgrimage in the Via Francigena ledger. In the meantime the official will take your credential, stamp it for the last time and issue you with your parchment Testimonium. (As you leave do not forget to return the visitor’s badge to the security office and collect your passport.)

The office is also closed on Vatican days of holidays (e.g. St Peter's day 29th June and of special Papal Ceremonies which are widely advertised).

2) Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, Piazza Pio XII no9, just off the Piazza di San Pietro, is an organization that arranges group pilgrimages. They are open Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat–Sun 9am–4pm (06.69896384), and on presentation of your stamped credential will provide you with a certificate of pilgrimage. The names of the recipients are not recorded

If you are unable to obtain the Testimonium before you leave Rome (eg pre-booked travel) you may request it by post.
Send your request to Fabbrica di San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano and enclosing:
1) photocopy of Identity card or passport
2) photocopy of Credential with all stamps
3) your full address
4) date of birth
5) starting place of your pilgrimage
6) starting date and arrival date
7) did you walk or cycle
8) your motivation: faith?, culture? something else?
9) what organisations assisted you before or during your pilgrimage (such as CPR or AIVF)

 

[frida1]

Thank you. I think we will use option 3, without high expectations of anyone caring!

 

[William Marques]

My post is a little old so I would take advice from the most recent Pilgrims.

When we did the VF we had a wonderful experience being given the Testimonium by Don Bruno and taken to a small private service in the Clementine Chapel.

 

[Harington]

Does anyone have current info on the easiest way to get a certificate in Rome? We have credentials stamped since San Bernardo and arrive in Rome in a few days. Thanks.

Does anyone have current info on the easiest way to get a certificate in Rome? We have credentials stamped since San Bernardo and arrive in Rome in a few days. Thanks.

Try this https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/resource/news/nuovo-servizio-di-accoglienza-pellegrini-ad-limina/. It is right by St peter's Square, with toilets, and somewhere to leave your rucksack securely. They can give you your testimonium.

 

[timr]

Try this https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/resource/news/nuovo-servizio-di-accoglienza-pellegrini-ad-limina/. It is right by St peter's Square, with toilets, and somewhere to leave your rucksack securely. They can give you your testimonium.

This place was unfortunately closed over the summer. (2018) But I see on FB that they had a big celebration to reopen on October 1st.

 

[timr]

This place was unfortunately closed over the summer. (2018) But I see on FB that they had a big celebration to reopen on October 1st.

I suspect the reason may have been a "refit" before the current Synod on Youth, with which they seem to be actively involved.

 

[frida1]

I haven’t been able to contact them by email, but I hope they’ll be open. We’ll just go and see.

 

[timr]

I haven’t been able to contact them by email, but I hope they’ll be open. We’ll just go and see.

They are "always open". But not, as I found on 29th June, a Solemnity, and Vatican holiday! 2-4pm ‍ in Rome always a big dodgy.....I lived there for four years. You get used to it! Go with the flow......

 

[Grace3808]

Does anyone have current info on the easiest way to get a certificate in Rome? We have credentials stamped since San Bernardo and arrive in Rome in a few days. Thanks.

The Pilgram house near St. Peters Square. Tried twice with the Swiss guards without success so went to Pilgram House. ..not quite as ceremonial as Santiago but it's something : )

 

[Sheffield James]

I had a similar experience in 2014, but was really persistent until they relented. It may have helped to have met a Swiss guard walking back to Switzerland after completing his service, who advised me to do a name-drop as additional leverage.

That said, it seems that the authorities really wanted to have the certificate issued in the pilgrim-tourist office, which was perfunctory in nature + denies VF pilgrims the opportunity for a brief, private moment at the tomb of St Peter.

Hopefully, other forum members can provide more recent personal experiences.