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Thousands Convene in Assisi to Pray Before Bones of St. Francis on First Day of Historic Viewing
A monthlong public exposition of St. Francis’s relics attracts hundreds of thousands, marking 800 years since his death and promoting prayer and reflection.
- On Feb. 22, 2026, pilgrims began viewing St. Francis of Assisi's bones in the Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi — lower church, displayed in a glass/bulletproof case through March 22.
- To mark the 800th anniversary, organizers and Franciscan friars said that the monthlong display keeps St. Francis's message alive and provides Christians a chance to pray before the relics.
- Organizers used a QR-code reservation system to admit approximately 750 people every 30 minutes, while over 400 lay volunteers and Franciscan friars guided entry and ensured silence as pilgrims kissed the protective plexiglass barrier and left written prayers.
- Assisi's center is facing strain as the monthlong display overwhelms its narrow streets, but souvenir merchants welcome the influx and Assisi city hall created new parking lots and shuttle service.
- With Bishop Felice Accrocca to be installed March 25, last year saw a 30% increase in pilgrims and Carlo Acutis's canonization is drawing younger visitors to Assisi.
15 Articles
15 Articles
On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi in 1226, the city of Assisi, Italy, is organizing an unprecedented event. Since Sunday, February 22, and for a period of one month, the relics of the Catholic saint are exhibited in the lower church of the basilica which bears his name, allowing pilgrims to gather directly in front of his remains, for the first time since his death. The expected influx is considerable…
Thousands convene in Assisi to pray before bones of St. Francis on first day of historic viewing
Hundreds of pilgrims lined up before dawn on Sunday to be among the first to pray before the exposed relics of St. Francis in his basilica in Assisi, Italy. The saint’s bones will lie in a glass box through March 22 — fully visible outside the stone tomb in a crypt where they usually rest […] The post Thousands convene in Assisi to pray before bones of St. Francis on first day of historic viewing appeared first on Interaksyon.
In the city of Assisi, the remains of St. Francis have been on public display for the first time since the weekend.
Bones of St. Francis of Assisi go on public display in Italy
ROME – The remains of Italy’s patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, have gone on public display to mark 800 years since his death. Italian officials say about 400,000 people from around the world have reserved a place to see his bones in the central Italian town of Assisi. The 13th Century skeleton is being […]
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