
Bones of St Francis of Assisi go on public display in Italy
The remains of Italy's patron saint have only been seen in public once before - for one day in 1978.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"the damaged and consumed state of the bones showed that St Francis gave himself completely to his life’s work."
— Giulio Cesareo , Other
"reservations to see the saint’s remains already number almost 400,000 [people] coming from all parts of the world, with of course a clear predominance from Italy."
— Marco Moroni , Other
"This is something prolonged, for a month, so I’m a bit worried, but calm."
— Valter Stoppini , Politician
"When we go out onto the piazza, we find many people who ask us, ‘Where’s Carlo? Where’s Carlo?’"
— Brother Marco Moroni , Other
"The beautiful thing is that saints don’t go to war against one another, thanks be to God."
— Brother Marco Moroni , Other
"We’re used to this kind of event, but that lasts for one, two or three days."
— Valter Stoppini , Politician
"It is not so much about venerating Francis, but rather encountering Francis by venerating the Holy Spirit who filled that humanity and made it capable of giving itself."
— Brother Giulio Cesareo , Other
"Just talking about it gives me goosebumps. It’s an event I couldn’t miss."
— Fiorella Farina , Other
"It is not so much about venerating Francis, but rather encountering Francis by venerating the Holy Spirit who filled that humanity and made it capable of giving itself."
— Brother Giulio Cesareo , Other
"Just talking about it gives me goosebumps. It’s an event I couldn’t miss."
— Fiorella Farina , Other
"If the saints are our brothers and sisters in heaven, then it makes sense that we’re going to have things that we hold on to."
— Sean Pilcher , Other
"a meaningful experience for believers and non-believers alike."
— Giulio Cesareo , Other
"the 'damaged' and 'consumed' state of the bones showed that St Francis 'gave himself completely' to his life's work."
— Giulio Cesareo , Other
"almost 400,000 (people) coming from all parts of the world, with of course a clear predominance from Italy."
— Marco Moroni , Other
"From the very beginning, since the time of the catacombs, Christians have venerated the bones of martyrs."
— Giulio Cesareo , Other
"This is not a movie set."
— Giulio Cesareo , Other
Key People
Spokesman for the Franciscans in Assisi.
The custodian of the convent of St. Francis who discusses pilgrims' interest in Carlo Acutis.
Professor of Christian studies.
The first millennial saint canonized by the Catholic Church.
A devotee of St. Francis who has a country house in Assisi.
Giulio Cesareo is the director of communications for the Franciscan convent in Assisi.
Marco Moroni is the guardian of the Franciscan convent in Assisi.
Pope Francis is the former leader of the Roman Catholic Church and known for his focus on humanitarian issues.
Pope Leo XIV is the current pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Runs Sacra: Relics of the Saints, providing consulting services to the Catholic Church.
St. Francis of Assisi is a medieval friar and the patron saint of Italy.
The mayor of Assisi, concerned about the influx of pilgrims during the exhibition of St. Francis' bones.
Tags
All Coverage
The remains of Italy's patron saint have only been seen in public once before - for one day in 1978.
The bones of St. Francis of Assisi are on public display for the first time, drawing nearly 400,000 visitors to Assisi, Italy, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of his death.
A photo gallery capturing the public display of St. Francis of Assisi's bones in Assisi, Italy, marking the 800th anniversary of his death.
Assisi prepares for the public display of St. Francis of Assisi's bones, anticipating nearly half a million pilgrims, which presents both spiritual significance and logistical challenges for the town.
Assisi faces both excitement and challenges as the bones of St. Francis of Assisi are displayed publicly for the first time, drawing a large influx of pilgrims.
The bones of St. Francis of Assisi are on public display for the first time ... drawing pilgrims to Assisi, Italy, to commemorate the 800th ... his death.
The bones of St. Francis of Assisi have gone on public display for the first time, drawing nearly 400,000 visitors to Assisi, Italy, to honor the 800th anniversary of his death.
Saint Francis of Assisi's skeleton is on public display for the first time, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to Assisi, Italy, to mark the 800th anniversary of his death.
The skeleton of Saint Francis of Assisi is on full public display for the first time, expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to Assisi, Italy.
A photo gallery capturing the public display of St. Francis of Ass ... 's bones in Assisi, Italy, marking the 800th anniversary of his death.
The bones of St. Francis of Assisi are on public display for the first time, marking the 800th anniversary of his death and drawing significant attention to the enduring appeal of Christian relics.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Bayeux Tapestry delivered to British Museum in dead of night
The famous artefact depicting events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England will go on display in September.
July 10, 2026 at 05:00 AMAustralian police reveal unseen photos 25 years after British backpacker murder
Police hope the images could jog memories that will help them find the body of Peter Falconio.
July 14, 2026 at 02:26 AMHuge crowds in Mashhad as Iran's late supreme leader is buried
Ali Khamenei was buried at the Imam Reza shrine, Iran's holiest Shia Muslim site, ending six days of public mourning ceremonies.
July 9, 2026 at 11:18 PMKhamenei's coffin carried through Shia shrines as ceremonies held in Iraq
The remains of Iran's late supreme leader are transported to Najaf and Karbala, as funeral ceremonies continue for a fifth day.
July 8, 2026 at 02:56 PMRare moth find in town park sparks hopes of others
The six-belted clearwing is found by conservationists at Rough Park who hope to spot it elsewhere.
July 9, 2026 at 05:12 AMDavid Willey, esteemed BBC Vatican correspondent, dies aged 93
One of the BBC's longest-serving foreign correspondents, he reported on five popes during his career.
July 12, 2026 at 03:22 PM