ASSISI, Italy — The bones of St. Francis of Assisi have gone on public display for the first time, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to the Umbrian hilltop town as part of commemorations marking the 800th anniversary of his death.
Nearly 400,000 people registered in advance to view the relics, which are contained in a slim, bulletproof Plexiglas case inside the lower Basilica of St. Francis. The monthlong exposition, running through March 22, is expected to attract as many as half a million visitors before the remains are returned to their tomb.
The display caps an eight-century saga surrounding the saint’s bodily remains. Born in 1182 to a wealthy merchant family, Francis renounced his possessions to live in poverty as a mendicant friar. At the end of his life, he was said to have borne the stigmata, the marks of Christ’s crucifixion, the first documented case in Christian history.
After his death on Oct. 3, 1226, his body was initially buried in the Church of San Giorgio in Assisi. Within two years, Pope Gregory IX canonized him and began construction of a basilica to house his tomb. Fearing the relics might be stolen during medieval disputes over saints’ remains, a close follower secretly reburied the body inside the basilica, where it remained hidden until excavations in 1818 confirmed its location under the authority of Pope Pius VII.
Francis’ message of peace, fraternity, and care for the poor and creation has endured for centuries and inspired Pope Francis, the first pontiff to take his name.
Pilgrimage Surge Tests Assisi
The exposition presents both opportunity and strain for Assisi, already one of the world’s most visited Christian pilgrimage destinations. Mayor Valter Stoppini described the monthlong event as unprecedented in duration, noting that while the city is accustomed to large gatherings, they typically last only a few days.
A team of 400 volunteers has been mobilized to guide pilgrims through the medieval streets and into the basilica. City officials have established additional parking outside the historic center and implemented shuttle services to manage the influx.
Security measures include metal detectors, additional police officers, sniffer dogs and surveillance systems, reflecting both the relics’ spiritual significance and their complex history.
Local businesses have welcomed the extended event. Souvenir shops lining the streets leading to the basilica offer religious items ranging from rosaries to memorabilia bearing the saint’s image. For many residents, however, the increased crowds bring logistical challenges even as tourism remains a cornerstone of the local economy.
Enduring Appeal of Relics
Franciscan officials emphasized that the exposition is not a macabre display but part of a longstanding Christian tradition of venerating saints’ relics.
Brother Giulio Cesareo, spokesman for the Franciscans in Assisi, said the goal is to allow the faithful to encounter the spiritual legacy of the saint. “It is not so much about venerating Francis, but rather encountering Francis by venerating the Holy Spirit who filled that humanity,” he said.
Interest in relics has historically led to abuses, including theft and forgery, yet their appeal remains strong among believers who see them as tangible connections to holy lives.
Pilgrims have been assigned 10-minute time slots to pass before the relics. Many described the experience as deeply moving. For some, the exposition represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor a saint whose teachings on peace and compassion continue to resonate in contemporary society.
Assisi, long defined by its association with St. Francis, is also seeing renewed attention from younger Catholics drawn to Carlo Acutis, canonized last year and buried in another Assisi basilica. Together, the two figures have reinforced the town’s standing as a major destination for global Catholic pilgrimage.
As the faithful file through the basilica in steady numbers, Assisi once again finds itself at the heart of a centuries-old devotion that shows little sign of fading.
