Two strong women who upheld the Church

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Between 1314 and 1377, the popes abandoned Rome and settled in Avignon. It was one of the most difficult and turbulent periods for the Church and the Eternal City. Yet two extraordinary women — Saint Bridget of Sweden and Saint Catherine of Siena — played a crucial role in bringing the papacy back to Rome. Both were mystics and fearless reformers who fought for peace and the renewal of the Church. This video explores their lives, their missions, and the sacred places in Rome where their memory still lives: from Piazza Farnese and San Lorenzo in Damaso to the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Discover how their faith, prayer, and determination helped shape the history of the Church, and why they were proclaimed Patron Saints of Europe in 1999. Follow us through the key sites in Rome that witnessed their spiritual journey.