Saint Francis of Assisi's skeleton goes on public display for first time

"His remains, which will be on display until 22 March, were transferred to the basilica built in the saint's honour in 1230. But it was only in 1818, after excavations carried out in utmost secrecy, that his tomb was rediscovered. Apart from previous exhumations for inspection and scientific examination, the bones of Saint Francis have only been displayed once, in 1978, to a very limited audience and for only one day."

"Usually hidden from view, the transparent case containing the relics since 1978 was brought out on Saturday from the metal coffer in which it is kept inside his stone tomb in the crypt of the basilica. The case is itself inside another bullet-proof and anti-burglary glass case. Surveillance cameras will operate 24 hours a day for added protection of the remains"

Saint Francis of Assisi's skeleton will be on full public display in the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi from Sunday until 22 March. The remains are housed in a nitrogen-filled plexiglass case bearing the Latin inscription Corpus Sancti Francisci and are placed inside a further bullet-proof, anti-burglary glass enclosure. The relics were transferred to the basilica in 1230 and the tomb was rediscovered in 1818 after secret excavations. The bones have been shown publicly only once before in 1978 to a limited audience. Security measures include continuous surveillance cameras to protect the remains.

Read at www.theguardian.com