Bones of St. Francis Go on Public Display in Assisi
The 13th-century skeleton is in a bulletproof case at Assisi's lower basilica through March 22 with roughly 400,000 reservations.
Overview
The bones of St. Francis of Assisi went on public display Sunday in a bulletproof Plexiglas case in the lower church of the Basilica of St. Francis, organizers said.
Franciscans are exhibiting the 13th-century skeleton for one month through March 22 to mark the 800th anniversary of St. Francis's death in 1226 and revive his message of peace and fraternity, officials said.
Brother Giulio Cesareo said the exposition aims to let believers encounter the Holy Spirit rather than celebrate the dead, and pilgrims described the visit as a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience.
About 400,000 people registered in advance to see the remains and the city recruited about 400 volunteers, with the mayor estimating the total could reach a half‑million, officials said.
The relics will return to their tomb when the monthlong display ends on March 22, and officials said security includes metal detectors, extra officers and sniffer dogs.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the Assisi bones display as a culturally resonant, reverent event by using sympathetic language ("enduring appeal," "fascination," "once-in-a-lifetime"), prioritizing Franciscan and devotional voices while omitting skeptical perspectives, and structuring the piece from historical saga to personal piety—emphasizing continuity and spiritual meaning over contestation.
Sources (7)
FAQ
The display marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis's death in 1226, aiming to revive his message of peace and fraternity during the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV.
The remains are on display in a bulletproof Plexiglas case in the lower church of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi from February 22 to March 22, 2026.
Visitors must make a mandatory and free online reservation on the centennial website SANFRANCESCOVIVE.ORG.
Security includes a bulletproof Plexiglas case, metal detectors, extra officers, and sniffer dogs.
It is part of the Year of Saint Francis Jubilee, proclaimed from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, encouraging imitation of St. Francis's life of holiness and peace.
History
3 sources