St. Peter’s Basilica lights up at dusk.

University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., led a delegation to the Eternal City Dec. 1-3, 2021. During a series of meetings with high-ranking Vatican officials, Father Jenkins discussed Notre Dame's role in the Church and in Catholic education. In addition, he was able to meet with University students studying in Rome as well as alumni who are beginning their careers there. And finally, Father Jenkins used the convenience of technology to interview Marcus Freeman, finalist for the position of Dick Corbett Head Football Coach.

Joining Father. Jenkins was Rev. Austin Collins, C.S.C., vice president for mission engagement and Church affairs; Vice President and Chief of Staff Ann Firth; and Joel Curran, vice president for public affairs and communications.

Angel with a cross statue.
A towering cylindrical building near a river and bridge at dawn.
Smoke billows out of a canon outside in a yard. Two guards stand on each side of the canon.
St. Peter's Basilica seen through a blurred fence.
A group of four people, including two priests, walk outside.
A priest wearing glasses facing the camera, looks off to the left in the distance.
A Swiss guard escorts a group of four people, including two priests, down a hallway in the Vatican.
Four people sit in ornate and antique chairs. The walls are lavishly decorated with artwork.
A priest and cardinal priest shake hands and talk.
Two priests and cardinal priest stand in a room and post for a photo. There are ornate furniture, rugs, and artwork around them.
Two priests wearing masks shake hands, other people stand around them.
A large Christmas tree outside St. Peter’s Basilica. There is a crowd of people at the entrance and a seagull flying past in the sky.
St. Peter’s Basilica.
One man in the foreground and another in the background speak to a small group of people that is not pictured.
Two priests pose for a photo with a Notre Dame alum.
Fr. Jenkins poses with a former Notre Dame student.
Two priests and a nun pose for a photo.
Fr. Jenkins meets with a Notre Dame alum who then gives him a book.
Mass at the church of Santa Maria in Dominica.
John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., Rev. Austin Collins, C.S.C. and Rev. Richard S. Bullene, C.S.C. concelebrate a Mass with students and faculty from the Rome Global Gateway at the church of Santa Maria in Dominica.
Fr. Jenkins stands in front of a congregation.
Fr. Jenkins giving communion.
Three masked women kneel at the pew.

One masked student with a camera takes a group selfie with Fr. Jenkins and several other Notre Dame students.

After celebrating Mass with students one evening, Fr. Jenkins sent an Advent greeting back to campus.

 
A group photo of Fr. Jenkins and students.
A group photo of Fr. Jenkins with faculty and staff.
A rain shower at St. Peter's Square. People walk around the Square with umbrellas.
Rain shower in St. Peter’s Square.
Six people meet in the Cardinal’s Vatican office.
Six people, including four priests, meet sitting on ornate and antique chairs.
Fr. Jenkins poses with Dr. Barbara Jatta.
A look down a spiraling, golden-colored staircase.
Fr. Jenkins sits at a table and video chats with Marcus Freeman.
Skyline of Rome at sunrise.

Photography by Matt Cashore