3 September to 12 October 2027

3.10..2026 / Rainer Juriatti

1,200 kilometres. 40 days. Thousands of names. One destination: Rome.

On 3 September 2027, a very special journey will begin at Soboth in Styria, Austria. Forty days later, on 12 October, it will end in Rome. In between lie around 1,200 kilometres, 40 stages and approximately 12,000 metres of elevation gain. At its heart, however, this journey is not about kilometres. It is about the thousands of names of star children – children who died before, during or shortly after birth. And it is about their parents, relatives, friends and all those for whom each of these children will remain part of their shared story for a lifetime.

Have your child's little star carried to Rome

Parents of star children are invited to have their child's name written on a little star. This star will then be “carried” all the way to Rome: as a sticker on a pushchair which Rainer Juriatti, as he did in 2024, will pull behind him throughout the journey. The pushchair will also carry all his luggage, as the experienced ultramarathon runner will make the journey alone – symbolising the fact that parents of star children are all too often left alone with their grief. Parents of star children and anyone interested in the project will be able to follow the entire journey live, day by day, via Google Maps and on social media such as Instagram and Facebook. Every day, Juriatti will tell the story of one of the little stars, giving each name a story.

International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day 2027

The ultimate destination is not merely Rome, but the Vatican. On 13 October 2027, Juriatti plans to attend the General Audience, followed by a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, to ask for his blessing for the star children of the world. Two days later, on 15 October 2027, the annual International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day takes place – a particularly fitting occasion.

Important letters of recommendation

Under the “Recommendations” button on the left, two significant letters in support of the project can be read. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, who welcomed Juriatti to St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna in 2024, has asked the Prefecture of the Papal Household for an audience for the star runner. The Bishop of Vorarlberg, Benno Elbs, has likewise written to the Prefecture to recommend Juriatti for a meeting with the Pope. “I am deeply grateful to these two eminent figures,” says Rainer Juriatti. “I have sent their letters to the Apostolic Nunciature in Vienna to be forwarded to the Papal Household – and now we shall see what is decided.”

From now on: a little star bearing your child's name

At all events over the coming months in which Vera and Rainer Juriatti are involved or present, parents will be able to have one of the little stars inscribed with the name of their star child.

Background:
100 metres for every star child

The distance of 1,200 kilometres was not chosen by chance, even back in 2024. When the project was conceived, it was estimated that around 10,000 to 12,000 star children die in Austria each year. For each of these children, Rainer Juriatti symbolically ran 100 metres. For the journey to Rome, this symbolic distance has been retained. The fact that the biblical numbers 12 and 40 also play a special role adds another layer of meaning to the project.

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