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The remains of St. Francis of Assisi went on public display for the first time on February 22, 2026, marking 800 years since the saint's death in 1226. The bones are contained in a bulletproof Plexiglas case in the lower Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy.

The remains of St. Francis of Assisi went on public display for the first time on February 22, 2026, marking 800 years since the saint's death in 1226. The bones are contained in a bulletproof Plexiglas case in the lower Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy.

Nearly 400,000 people registered in advance to view the relics during the monthlong exhibition, which runs through March 22, 2026. Visitors are scheduled in time slots, with approximately 750 people entering the basilica every 30 minutes.

Nearly 400,000 people registered in advance to view the relics during the monthlong exhibition, which runs through March 22, 2026. Visitors are scheduled in time slots, with approximately 750 people entering the basilica every 30 minutes.

St. Francis was born in 1181 or 1182 to a wealthy merchant family in Assisi. After being taken prisoner during war at age 20 and becoming seriously ill, he underwent a spiritual transformation and renounced his family's wealth to embrace radical poverty.

St. Francis was born in 1181 or 1182 to a wealthy merchant family in Assisi. After being taken prisoner during war at age 20 and becoming seriously ill, he underwent a spiritual transformation and renounced his family's wealth to embrace radical poverty.

Following St. Francis' death, his trusted aide Brother Elias secretly buried the body in the basilica, fearing it would be stolen during the medieval fight over relics. The remains remained hidden until excavations discovered them in 1818.

Following St. Francis' death, his trusted aide Brother Elias secretly buried the body in the basilica, fearing it would be stolen during the medieval fight over relics. The remains remained hidden until excavations discovered them in 1818.

The bones were briefly shown to a very limited audience in 1978, but the 2026 exhibition marks the first time they have been made available for widespread public viewing. Security measures include metal detectors, sniffer dogs and plain-clothed police.

The bones were briefly shown to a very limited audience in 1978, but the 2026 exhibition marks the first time they have been made available for widespread public viewing. Security measures include metal detectors, sniffer dogs and plain-clothed police.

Assisi has experienced a 30 percent increase in pilgrims, partly due to Carlo Acutis, who was canonized in 2025 as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint and is also buried in Assisi. Mayor Valter Stoppini expressed concern about managing a monthlong influx of visitors.

Assisi has experienced a 30 percent increase in pilgrims, partly due to Carlo Acutis, who was canonized in 2025 as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint and is also buried in Assisi. Mayor Valter Stoppini expressed concern about managing a monthlong influx of visitors.

St. Francis Remains on Public Display After 800 Years

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St. Francis Remains on Public Display After 800 Years

Remains of St. Francis ofRemains Assision DisplayedPublic forDisplay theAfter first800 timeYears

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