The first segment of the conversation was added after the death of Pope Francis and ends at 42:26. The discussion specific to the canonization of Carlo Acutis begins at 1:28:00In this conversation, I talk with Michael A. Di Giovine and explore the themes of pilgrimage, focusing on the legacy of Pope Francis, Padre Pio, and Carlo Acutis. We discuss the significance of silence, scripture, charity, and hope in the pilgrimage experience, as well as the blurred lines between pilgrimage and tourism. The conversation emphasizes the transformative nature of pilgrimage and its deep connection to human vulnerability and aspirations. We also explore the modern relevance of saints, particularly focusing on Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint. The discussion delves into his canonization, the evolving role of saints in the digital age, and the hope that these figures bring to contemporary believers. The Jubilee Year is highlighted as a time for renewal and reflection within the Catholic Church, emphasizing the importance of faith and community in navigating modern challenges.Takeaways:*Pope Francis emphasized the importance of pilgrimage in his ministry.*Padre Pio's legacy continues to inspire pilgrims today.*According to Pope Francis, silence, scripture reading, and charity are essential components of pilgrimage.*Pilgrimage is often a transformative journey for individuals.*Hope is a significant theme in the context of pilgrimage.*Personal experiences and memories shape the pilgrimage journey.*Pilgrimage engages deep human needs and vulnerabilities.*Pilgrimages serve as a vital connection to faith and community.*The Jubilee Year is a time for renewal and reflection in the Catholic Church.*The Catholic Church is adapting to attract younger generations.*Carlo Acutis' story resonates with millennials and Gen Z.Michael A. Di Giovine is Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at West Chester University; Director of its Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, and Museum Studies Program; and Director of the Ethnographic Field School on Sustainable Food and Cultural Heritage in Perugia, Italy. An Honorary Fellow at the Universityof Wisconsin-Madison, Michael is also a former tour operator whose research in Europe (Italy, Spain) and Southeast Asia (Vietnam and Cambodia) focuses primarily on pilgrimage and tourism, heritage, religious movements and saints, and foodways; his Ph.D. dissertation at theUniversity of Chicago (2012) examined global devotion to Catholic stigmatic, St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, the world’s most prayed to saint. The President of the Council on Heritage and the Anthropology of Tourism at the American Anthropological Association, and a member of itsTask Force on Cultural Heritage (2013-2016), Michael has published widely on pilgrimage, including the books The Seductions of Pilgrimage: Sacred Journeys Afar and Astray in the Western Religious Tradition (Routledge 2014), and Pilgrimage Beyond the Officially Sacred (Routledge, 2020), and special journal issues “Pilgrimage: Communitas and Contestation”(Tourism, 2011), “Sites of Pilgrimage, Sites of Heritage,” (Int. Journal of Tourism Anthropology, 2015), and “Faith in Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage” in Religions (2021). An internationally renowned expert on pilgrimage and Catholic traditions and heritage, he has been featured onNational Public Radio, Live Now from FOX, Vox, National Catholic Register, The Conversation, The Economist, La Cucina Italiana, Vogue, Atlas Obscura, Meaningful Journeys podcast, and National Geographic, and, among others, keynoted the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s conference on religious tourism and pilgrimage in Hamedan, Iran (2018). He is the Book Reviews Editor of The Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, and is the editor of the book series The Anthropology of Tourism: Heritage, Mobility and Society with Bloomsbury. www.wcupa.edu/michaeldigiovine