For the first time in 800 years, the mortal remains of St Francis of Assisi have been placed on extended public display, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Assisi for a month-long period of veneration marking the eighth centenary of his death.
The bones of the saint, who died in 1226, were unveiled for public veneration on February 22 in the Lower Church of the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. The exposition, which runs until March 22, forms part of a year-long programme of commemorations in 2026 and is expected to attract around 370,000 registered pilgrims from five continents.
