By Trendsetter Tribune 
ASSISI, Italy — In an unprecedented moment for both religious history and archaeology, the skeletal remains of Saint Francis of Assisi are being displayed to the public for the first time in 800 years. As of Sunday, February 22, 2026, the month-long exposition has officially begun in the Lower Basilica of San Francesco, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to the Umbrian hilltop town.
The event, titled “San Francesco Vive” (Saint Francis Lives), commemorates the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death in 1226. While the bones have been examined by scientists and friars behind closed doors—most notably in 1818 and 2015—they have never before been visible to the general public.
The “Hidden” Saint: Why Now?
The decision to display the remains was made by the Sacro Convento with the explicit approval of Pope Leo XIV. For centuries, the body was intentionally hidden to prevent theft or desecration.
- A Secret Tomb: After his death in 1226, the friars hid Francis’s body deep beneath the high altar. It remained “lost” for nearly 600 years until it was rediscovered during an arduous 52-day excavation in 1818.
- The Display: The remains—including the skull and long bones—have been moved from their nitrogen-filled urn in the crypt to a bulletproof glass enclosure located at the foot of the papal altar in the Lower Church.
- The Anniversary: This “extraordinary gift” is the centerpiece of the Franciscan Centenary, a year-long reflection on Francis’s legacy of peace, poverty, and environmental stewardship.
A Town Under Siege: 500,000 Expected
The exposition is a “mixed blessing” for Assisi, a town built on narrow, medieval streets that struggle to accommodate massive influxes of visitors.
| Logistical Detail | The “Franciscan Influx” |
| Registrations | Over 400,000 pilgrims have already booked free tickets via the official website. |
| Total Expected | Officials estimate up to half a million people will pass through the Basilica by March 22. |
| Volunteer Force | A “small army” of 400 volunteers has been deployed to manage the crowds and guide pilgrims through the Lower Basilica. |
| Resident Impact | Mayor Valter Stoppini expressed “calm worry” over the month-long strain on parking and local services. |
Modern Pilgrimage: Carlo Acutis and the New Faith
The display of Saint Francis coincides with the rising popularity of another Assisi resident: Saint Carlo Acutis.
- The “Millennial Saint”: Acutis, a computer-coding teen who died in 2006, was canonized last year by Pope Leo XIV.
- Dual Veneration: Many young pilgrims traveling to see Francis’s remains are also visiting the Santuario della Spogliazione, where Acutis’s body (clad in jeans and sneakers) is displayed.
- The Contrast: The pairing of a 13th-century medieval friar and a 21st-century tech enthusiast has turned Assisi into a unique intersection of ancient tradition and modern youth culture.
How to Participate
The exposition will run for exactly 30 days, concluding on March 22, 2026.
- Mandatory Booking: Visitors must register for a specific time slot at
sanfrancescovive.org. - Two Paths: Pilgrims can choose between a guided path (led by a friar with reflections available in multiple languages) or a silent path for personal prayer.
- National Holiday: This year also marks the first time October 4 (Francis’s feast day) is recognized as a national civil holiday in Italy.
“He did not live in an ideal historical moment. Yet his message is beautiful: if a person truly embraces the Gospel, he creates a different story around himself.” — Friar Giulio Cesareo, Director of Communications