Pope Leo XIV welcomes Dülken bicycle pilgrims: an unforgettable adventure!

Pope Leo XIV welcomes Dülken bicycle pilgrims: an unforgettable adventure!

August 11, 2025 was a very special day for a group of pilgrims from Dülken: 17 women and men from the parish of St. Cornelius and Peter cycled 1,666 kilometers to Rome not only to put their physical endurance to the test, but also to experience faith, hope and community. Under the motto “Pilgrims of Hope” they set off during the Holy Year with the aim of deepening their spiritual bond. The highlight of this unforgettable trip was the reception by Vicar General Jan Nienkerke in St. Peter's Square and the personal meeting with Pope Leo XIV, which lasted surprisingly longer than expected and was characterized by a humorous atmosphere.

How Lokalklick.eu reports, the Pope took time for the cyclists who were traveling on bicycles without electrical support through the hot and sometimes rainy Italian countryside. Each of the stages stretched between 120 and 160 kilometers, and donations were collected for the medication aid organization action medeor for every kilometer driven. Jan Nienkerke emphasized the physical exertion, spiritual depth and commitment of the pilgrims.

Special messages for the Pope

Another emotional aspect of the meeting was the presentation of songs and hopes by students from Aachen's St.-Leonhard-Gymnasium. These letters, which were written during religious education classes, contained wishes such as peace, environmental protection and equality. Jan Nienkerke had also asked the Apostolic Nunciature to convey these messages to Pope Leo XIV. The pilgrims received positive news from the Vatican shortly before their arrival, which further increased their anticipation. Nienkerke plans to return to the students after the summer holidays to report on the encounter and encourage them to hope for a personal response from the pope.

But the Dülken pilgrims are not the only ones who inspire us with their stories. The pilgrimage of katholisch.de Reporting pastor Pawel Nowak shows that the spirit of pilgrimage also takes other paths. The 39-year-old priest cycled over 1,600 kilometers from Hildesheim to Rome in just 72 hours to collect donations for the “Löwenherz” children's hospice in Syke. However, he had to drive the last 100 kilometers in order to get to a meeting with Pope Leo XIV in time. He also experienced an unexpectedly warm encounter and showed his solidarity with the children of the hospice with an envelope in the shape of a large red heart.

The meaning of pilgrimages

The spirit of pilgrimage, whether on foot, by bike or otherwise, has deep roots in Catholic tradition. Since biblical times, they have been an expression of the search for God and stand for repentance, willingness to sacrifice and encounter with the Lord. These experiences offer an opportunity for inner renewal and are often characterized by spirituality and community. As part of the seven most important Catholic pilgrimages, Rome, with its St. Peter's Basilica and the four papal basilicas, has a special place. In holy years, passing through the Holy Door is associated with a plenary indulgence, which further enhances the pilgrimage period catholicus.eu.

For the Dülken pilgrims and for everyone who sets off, the hope remains that these journeys are not just physical challenges, but above all spiritual adventures that resonate in the hearts of every participant.