Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem


The Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem, abbreviated P.A.P.S., was a papal institution for assistance to pilgrims to Rome and certain other Catholic sites and events.
It was merged into the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See on 4 July 2016.

History

It was founded by Pius XI at the conclusion of the extraordinary Jubilee of Redemption, when the Central Committee, set up that same Holy Year 1933-1934 to assist all pilgrims to Rome, was established as a permanent Office. Pope Paul VI erected it a Canonical Body in 1972; the reorganisation in 1977 confirmed the spiritual initiatives born during the Holy Year 1975.
On 16 January 1997 John Paul II granted it new Statutes which emphasized its pastoral characteristics and specified its purpose and nature:
The Board of Directors endorses annual programs and balance sheets and expresses its opinion on major issues. The Pastoral Council, whose members are multinational and multilingual Pastoral workers, is in charge of issues concerning the spiritual activity of the pilgrims in order to fulfill the religious goals of the Peregrinatio. The Pope appoints the President of the Peregrinatio, usually an archbishop or a cardinal.
The Peregrinatio appoints its Delegates in different parts of the world, in agreement with the Ecclesiastic Authorities of the local Churches.
P.A.P.S. organizes guided tours for groups of pilgrims inside Vatican City and around Christian Rome, especially to the Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens, Catacombs of Rome and Papal basilicas, Liturgical Celebrations and Audiences with the Pope. It organizes Congresses, Masses, prayer gatherings and services with full assistance during Beatifications and Canonizations. It works primarily with religious institutions and houses which accommodate pilgrims as well as commercial hotels, restaurants and various other logistics, and offers air ticket services for employees of Vatican City, for the Departments and Offices of the Holy See and for all religious families.

Leadership

The Peregrinatio was led by a president.