Saint Francis of Assisi’s skeleton goes on public display for first time
Saint Francis of Assisi’s skeleton is going on full public display from Sunday for the first time, in a move that is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors. Inside a nitrogen-filled case with the Latin inscription “Corpus Sancti Francisci” (the body of Saint Francis), the remains are being shown in the Italian hillside town’s Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. St Francis, who died on 3 October 1226, founded the Franciscan order after renouncing his wealth and devoting his life to the poor Giulio Cesareo, the director of communications for the Franciscan convent in Assisi, said he hoped the display could be “a meaningful experience” for believers and non-believers alike. Cesareo, a Franciscan friar, said the “damaged” and “consumed” state of the bones showed that St Francis “gave himself completely” to his life’s work. His remains, which will be on display until 22 March, were transferred to the basilica built in the saint’s honour in 12...