Pope Francis has declared 2016 an extraordinary year of mercy, so they've unsealed the portals to the greatest Basilica's in Rome and at the Vatican.

The crowds they're expecting are extraordinary too.

Coming up, we get insider advice on navigating what Rome has to offer in this Jubilee year.

In order to have the jubilee feeling of your soul,

wake up 5.30 in the morning, walk through the city at 6 o'clock.

Then you see Rome.

Or try a pilgrimage to the scenic town of Siana in Tuscany.

It's where St. Catherine changed world history with a letter

she wrote as a young girl to Pope Gregory in Avignon.

Dear Gregory, this is Catherine from Siena. You need to come back to Rome because I had a vision when I was six, so make it happen.

And we take a close look at the significance of Michelangelo's masterpieces, like the Pieta at the Vatican.

It's a kind of very human embodiment of a religious sacrament.

Come along, it's Travel with Rick Steve's. One great way to connect with the locals is to speak the language, or at least some of it.

Rosetta Stone is a fast, fun way to learn.

It's got helpful tools like online video chats with native speaking teachers.

You can take the Rosetta Stone demo or purchase the program at a special discount at

Rosetta Stone.com slash Rick Steves.

How to get the most of a visit to Rome during this busy journey. Rick Steves.

How to get the most of a visit to Rome during this busy Jubilee year and a look at how

Michelangelo's personality redefined what it meant to be an artist in Renaissance Italy.

That's just ahead on today's Italian flavored edition of Travel with Rick

Steve's. We're at 877 33 7425. Let's start out the hour with Anna

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