This year marks the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’ death, and from Feb. 22-March 22 pilgrims will be able to view the saint’s earthly remains for the first time in the lower church of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Giulio Cesareo, the director of the Sacred Convent of Assisi’s communications office, told Vatican News that venerating St. Francis’ remains will strengthen pilgrims.
“Christians have always venerated the lives of the saints because, in them, they saw the action of the Holy Spirit filling their flesh with this love,” he said, according to Vatican News. “This is the context for venerating St. Francis’ relics.”
Fr. Cesareo said that the unique opportunity to venerate the saint’s relics is best understood within the context of a verse from Scripture, John 12:24.
“In it Jesus, speaking of Himself, says that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit,” Fr. Cesareo said. “St. Francis is truly this seed who, in the manner of Jesus, of the saints, of the martyrs — and perhaps of all people of good will — gives himself in daily life. Whoever gives himself is consumed; there is no way around it, but he then bears fruit!”
As Zeale News previously reported, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed 2026 to be a special jubilee year of St. Francis. As a result, the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence under the normal conditions by making a pilgrimage to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis.Assisi, a community with a population under 30,000, will soon be filled with pilgrims, Fr. Cesareo explained. Every hotel and restaurant is booked for the entire month. Fr. Cesareo said he hopes the experience will allow locals to give of themselves.
“We hope this can be an opportunity of grace, because our society constantly tells us: ‘Think of yourself,’” he told Vatican News. “’Don’t give yourself. Don’t worry about others. Take care of yourself first.’ St. Francis says exactly the opposite, and his bones testify to this.”
Fr. Cesareo said that he believes that even non-religious people are fascinated by the figure of St. Francis because he is an “icon of Christ” and an example of the Gospel lived for the world.
Those wishing to learn more about the event can find more information here.