Hundreds of thousands of worshippers are expected to visit the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy this month. The city is marking the 800th anniversary of the saint's death by allowing pilgrims to pray at a display of his mortal remains.
Nearly 400,000 people have registered to view the bone fragments. These relics are housed in a protective case within the lower Basilica of St. Francis.
Church leaders state that in a time of deep social crises, St. Francis serves as an icon of hope. His life is presented as an example of how individual actions can create significant positive change.
St. Francis, born into wealth, renounced his possessions to live as a mendicant friar. He is recognized for embodying Christian teachings through charity and simplicity, influencing believers and non-believers alike. His life is often linked to the first documented case of stigmata.
After his death, his body was lost for centuries, secretly buried by a follower fearing its theft during the medieval practice of relic trading. This history is detailed in an adjacent exhibition.
The centenary celebrations include ongoing initiatives dedicated to Franciscan thought. A notable upcoming event is the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Assisi on August 6th.