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Saint Francis' Remains Unveiled After 8 Centuries
21 Feb
Summary
- Remains of Saint Francis of Assisi are displayed for the first time in 800 years.
- The exhibition runs until March 22 and expects hundreds of thousands of visitors.
- Pope Leo XIV plans a visit to Assisi, honoring the saint's legacy.
For the first time in nearly eight centuries, the remains of Saint Francis of Assisi are accessible to the public. The relics of Italy's patron saint are on display in the town of Assisi, located in central Italy. The exhibition began on Sunday and is scheduled to conclude on March 22.
Anticipation is high, with hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to attend. More than 350,000 individuals have already registered their interest in viewing the sacred relics at the Papal Basilica of St. Francis. The church aims to provide the faithful with a direct, sensory connection to the saint.
Francis of Assisi, who lived from 1181/82 to 1226, is a highly revered figure in the Catholic Church. After his death in his mid-40s, he was canonized just two years later. His earthly remains were hidden for almost six centuries until a new crypt was constructed in 1818.
Scientists have repeatedly authenticated the bones, with the most recent examination occurring in 2015. The reverence for Francis of Assisi in Italy is profound, with October 4, the anniversary of his death, marked by a public holiday. Celebrations are set to extend beyond March, with Pope Leo XIV planning a visit to Assisi.
