ROME, Italy.- Since yesterday, Saturday, the ossuary with the remains of Saint Francis of Assisi in the basilica of assisiin central Italy, for the first time in history and for just one month, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of his death.
“Paradoxically, it is precisely in the banality of these few remaining bones that we grasp the meaning: Francis, with these bones so deteriorated and worn, bears witness that he gave everything. It can be a significant experience for both believers and non-believers,” he explained. fray Giulio Cesareodirector of the communications office of the Sacred Convent of Assisi.
Examinations of the remains of Saint Francis
The remains of Saint Francis of Assisi were removed from the crypt and placed in a glass sanctuary within the Basilica.
For the first time in history, your body will be visible for an extended period. pic.twitter.com/0m4DotFvl6
— Young Catholics (@catolicos_es) February 22, 2026
Over the centuries, several examinations of the mortal remains of Saint Francis have been carried out, but they had never been exposed to popular devotion.
The remains had been missing for centuries, until, after a long and arduous search, they were found on the night of December 12 to 13, 1818. The first official examination took place in 1819, confirming their identity.
Finally, the 1978 examination, in preparation for the 750th anniversary of his death, and the most recent one in 2015, provided new scientific knowledge, renewing the certainty that it is the body of Saint Francis.
The remains were placed in the lower church of the Basilica of Saint Francis
Today in Assisi, the mortal remains of St. Francis of Assisi were solemnly transferred from his tomb to the Basilica of St. Francis, opening an unprecedented period of public veneration marking the 800th anniversary of his death. Nearly 350,000 pilgrims have already registered to… pic.twitter.com/8odOSk05WG
— EWTN News (@EWTNews) February 22, 2026
It will now be visible to all faithful and visitors during Lent. The operation was possible thanks to the approval granted by the Pope Leo XIV through the Vatican Secretariat of State.
At 4:00 p.m., the remains of Saint Francis of Assisi were transferred from his tomb, located in the crypt, and placed at the foot of the papal altar in the lower church of the Basilica of Saint Francis in a ceremony that was presided over by the Spanish cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime.
800 years after his death
Thus the remains of #SanFrancisco unveiled this Saturday after 800 years.
Asis is experiencing the Jubilee year of the poorest of the poor Friars.
(courtesy @RedVaticano ) pic.twitter.com/BWxkqRgHIc— RAMIRO ESCOTO DIGITAL (RED) (@Ramiro_Escoto) February 22, 2026
In this 800th anniversary, almost 400,000 reservations have already been registered to be able to access the basilica this month and venerate the remains, with up to 20,000 people on weekends.
For this celebration, the Italian Parliament, at the initiative of the Government, introduced into the work calendar the feast of San Franciscopatron saint of Italy, October 4half a century after its suppression.
You might also be interested: “Tragedy in Brazil: six people die, including a child, when a boat crashes”
Leave a Reply