Remains Of Italy’s Patron Saint St Francis Of Assisi Open To Public On 800th Anniversary Of His Death

Remains of Italy’s Patron Saint St Francis of Assisi Open to Public on 800th Anniversary of His Death The skeletal remains of St Francis of Assisi have been put on public display in Assisi, Italy, for the first time in history to commemorate the 800th anniversary of his death, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to the medieval hilltop town. Starting 22 February 2026, the bones of St Francis kept for centuries beneath the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi were placed in a protective bulletproof display case and opened for public viewing. The display is scheduled to continue until 22 March 2026, offering believers and visitors rare access to the saint’s relics. Nearly 400,000 people had registered in advance to see the remains, with numbers expected to grow as pilgrims arrive from around the world. St Francis of Assisi (born 1181/1182 died 3 October 1226) is one of Christianity’s most revered figures, known for renouncing his family’s wealth and dedicating his life to poverty, peace, care for the poor and love for creation.
He founded the Franciscan Order, which became one of the most influential monastic movements in the Catholic Church.
Francis is also credited with receiving the stigmata wounds believed to mirror Christ’s crucifixion making him the first documented saint to bear them. Although St Francis’s remains have been known and preserved, this extended public exhibition is unique. Apart from limited past viewings, it marks the first time the bones are publicly exhibited on this scale with some records noting earlier exhumations but not open access.
The last significant public show was in 1978, but that was for a single day and to a limited audience.
The relics are placed in a sealed case, maintaining conditions similar to their historical resting place to protect them while allowing visitors close veneration.
Pilgrims are arriving from Italy, Europe, the Americas, Africa and beyond to participate in this rare spiritual occasion.
For the faithful, seeing the relics is a deeply spiritual encounter, seen not as morbid spectacle but as humbling connection with a life of service, peace and humility that continues to inspire millions.
Assisi’s local economy and iconic heritage are receiving a significant boost, though the sheer volume of visitors also presents logistical challenges for the small historic town.
The remains are displayed in a nitrogen-sealed, bulletproof Plexiglas case within the lower basilica, ensuring preservation and safety. Extra security measures, including surveillance and crowd management, have been put in place to protect the relics and manage the influx of pilgrims. The exhibition is intended as more than a historical display it is presented by church leaders as an opportunity for reflection on Francis’s message of peace, fraternity and care for creation, values that resonate today across religious and secular communities alike. Francis’s legacy also influenced Pope Francis, who chose his papal name in honour of the medieval saint’s teachings. Scheduled end of public veneration period Lower Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Umbrian hilltown of Assisi, Italy