Remains of Saint Francis of Assisi Open to the Public

The skeleton of Saint Francis of Assisi is available for public access, for the first time, starting this Sunday, February 22nd. In the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, in Italy, a tomb displays the remains of the founder of the Franciscan orderwho died on October 3, 1226. In a description written in Latin, the phrase “Corpus Sancti Francisci” (body of Saint Francis) is read.

The body is in a specially prepared altar in the crypt of the Basilica, and the body was removed from the crypt on Saturday, February 21st. On the occasion, a special celebration with more than 300 friars was held.

The convent’s communications director, Giulio Cesareo, hopes that this will be “a very significant experience”, both for believers in the Catholic religion and for non-believers. Expectations include receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors. As a rule, the tomb is kept in a safe, inside the basilica itself. For a month, until March 22nd, it will be accessible to the general public.

According to the message from Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, the continues to “continues to touch the heart of humanity” eight centuries. “It is an invitation to rediscover the legacy of Francis, a man whose message of peace and fraternity continues to touch the heart of humanity”, he highlights.

For the friars, remembering the death of Saint Francis of Assisi is also remembering life. “Remembering his death means celebrating his life and the impact that, 800 years later, continues to inspire our journey.”