About 350,000 people have registered to venerate the relics of St Francis of Assisi — the first public display of the bodily remains of the beloved saint. Source: EWTN News.
From February 22 to March 22, the Lower Basilica of St Francis in Assisi will welcome pilgrims from around the world who will come to the Italian city to pray before the body of the man whom ecclesial tradition has described as “the living mirror of the Gospel”.
The event marks a moment of great historical and spiritual importance on the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death: For the first time, his body will be transferred from its resting place in an underground chapel and placed in front of the papal altar in the Lower Basilica.
In this way, the church will hold a “revealed treasure” for one month, granting pilgrims time for veneration and prayer.
Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special jubilee year for St Francis of Assisi on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of his death. The year will extend until January 10, 2027, during which the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence.
After his death in 1226, St Francis was buried beneath the main altar of the Lower Basilica in a location that was difficult to access in order to prevent any attempts to steal his remains.
His body remained hidden there for centuries until it was discovered in 1818. Following an official examination of the tomb in 1819, the identity of the remains of the “Poor Man of Assisi” was confirmed.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, the tomb was opened twice: first in 1978 and then in 2015.
This special jubilee year dedicated to St Francis is considered a unique spiritual gift for the entire Church. The Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary explained that the Holy Father is opening the way during this year to obtain the indulgence under the usual conditions.
Faithful throughout the world may obtain the indulgence by visiting any Franciscan church – or any place of worship anywhere in the world dedicated to St Francis – and by fulfilling the required conditions for obtaining the indulgence: receiving the sacraments of reconciliation and Holy Communion, and praying for the intentions of the Pope.
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Hundreds of thousands register to venerate relics of St Francis of Assisi (By Elias Turk, EWTN News)
