Rome points to preparations already under way for the year 2000, when millions of Catholic pilgrims will descend on the city to celebrate Christianity's third millennium.

There, he outlined a larger role for himself than that of just a humble Catholic pilgrim.

And the city's cathedral is home to the enigmatic Holy Shroud, which attracts thousands of Catholic pilgrims during its rare public unveilings.

That frugal philosophy seems to have guided the planning and financing of the Jubilee itself, which drew millions of Catholic pilgrims to Rome.

It is a mix of history, legend and tales of encounters with contemporary Catholic pilgrims.

The Hill of Crosses is a Catholic pilgrimage site in northern Lithuania where, over many years Catholic pilgrims have left crosses and other religious paraphernalia.

Every year, millions of Catholic pilgrims visit the Basilica at Our Lady of Lourdes in search of miraculous cures.

It receives many Catholic pilgrims every year.

Due to its link with Saint Brendan, the mountain is popular with Irish Catholic pilgrims.

Catholic pilgrims from the Middle East journey here to mark the Feast of the Assumption.