Photo: Vatican
The Vatican has announced that the remains of St. Francis of Assisi will be publicly displayed for veneration in Assisi, Italy, marking 800 years since the saint’s death.
From February 22 to March 22, pilgrims visiting the lower church of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi will have a rare opportunity to pray before the saint’s remains.
Church officials say the exposition is not merely a devotional practice but a spiritual moment intended to speak to a world facing social tension, conflict, and a growing search for meaning.
The event is expected to draw between 15,000 and 18,000 visitors daily, with total attendance projected at about 370,000 people during the month-long observance.
Fr. Giulio Cesareo, communications director of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, explained that relics hold deep significance in Christian tradition because saints represent faith lived through service, sacrifice, and love.
He described St. Francis as a “seed” that bore fruit through self-giving, echoing the Gospel message that a grain of wheat must fall and die in order to produce life.
According to the Church, venerating the relics strengthens unity among believers by reaffirming faith as a living relationship rooted in love rather than abstract belief.
The gesture is also seen as an opportunity to renew communal bonds, particularly within Assisi, where accommodation facilities have been fully booked for months due to pilgrimage demand.
Church leaders note that the saint’s enduring appeal extends beyond Catholics and continues to resonate with young people and non-believers.
His commitment to humility, peace, care for the poor, and simplicity of life is widely viewed as a universal model for ethical living.
St. Francis lived during a period marked by wars, social divisions, and injustice, circumstances not unlike those seen today.
Church officials say his legacy offers a message of hope: while individuals may not change the entire world, acts of compassion, solidarity, and self-giving can transform communities and inspire lasting peace.