Throngs of devotees and curious travelers are converging on Italy’s Assisi for an unprecedented event: the public unveiling of Saint Francis’s remains after almost 800 years of seclusion. From February 22, the basilica housing his tomb offers views of the encased relics, stirring worldwide interest.
The saint, who famously rejected opulence to minister to society’s outcasts, birthed the Franciscan Order post his 1226 death. Entombed in 1230, his grave resurfaced in 1818 via covert searches and was peeked at briefly in 1978 during bone analysis.
Housed in a Latin-marked, nitrogen-sealed plexiglass enclosure, the relics’ deteriorated bones speak volumes, per Communication Director Giulio Cesarino, of Francis’s all-in devotion. He foresees a transformative encounter for all attendees.
Set to conclude March 22, the exhibit tees up festivities for the saint’s 800th death anniversary, featuring a holiday on October 4. Guardian Marco Moroni noted 400,000 bookings, led by pilgrims from Brazil, North America, and Africa over Italians.
Amid the basilica’s majestic setting, this display immortalizes Saint Francis’s ethos of humility and aid. It serves as a poignant reminder in contemporary times, where his call to simplicity challenges excess, fostering a renewed appreciation for his profound impact.