The Sacred Convent of Assisi has announced news that marks a historic moment for Christianity: the mortal remains of Saint Francis of Assisi will be exposed to public veneration for an entire month. The event will be held from 22 February to 22 March 2026, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the death of Italy’s patron saint.
Pope Leo XIV granted the special authorization that allows this exceptional exhibition. The body of the founder of the Franciscan Order will be transferred from the crypt where it has rested for centuries and placed at the foot of the papal altar in the lower church of the Basilica of San Francesco. This is the first time that the relics have remained visible to the public for such a prolonged period.
The announcement was released on October 4, the day on which the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Francis. The Sacred Convent called this opportunity “an extraordinary gift, a profound invitation to prayer, and an opportunity to see the Gospel of Christ lived fully in the life of someone like us.” The motto chosen for the anniversary is “St. Francis lives”, to underline how the saint’s message continues to inspire humanity after eight centuries.
How to participate in veneration
To manage the influx of faithful and guarantee everyone a meaningful experience, a free online booking system has been set up on the sanfrancescovive.org website, available in Italian and English. Pilgrims will be able to choose between two types of visit: the group one, accompanied by a friar who will offer a short spiritual reflection, or the individual one, dedicated to silent and personal prayer.
At the end of the veneration process, there is a short liturgical rite and each participant will receive a gift from the Franciscan community. The organization has paid particular attention to accessibility, providing suitable routes for people with motor or visual disabilities.
The celebrations of the month
During the period of the exhibition, two international Masses will be held from Monday to Saturday in the upper church of the basilica, at 11:00 and 17:00. Evening veneration functions dedicated to families, religious people and members of the Secular Franciscan Order are also planned.
The theme chosen for this anniversary is inspired by the evangelical image of the seed that dies to bear fruit. As the statement from the Sacred Convent states, the life of Saint Francis represents a seed “sown in the earth that continues to bear fruits of peace, faith and love”. The friars invite the faithful to reflect on how the saint’s message continues to bear fruit today in the paths of peace, brotherhood, service to the poor, joy and care of creation.
The national feast of Saint Francis
The celebrations of 4 October 2025 have taken on a particular meaning this year, because the Italian Parliament has approved a bill that restores the date of 4 October as a national holiday, a day dedicated to the Franciscan values of peace, fraternity and care for creation.
The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni participated in the solemn Eucharistic celebration in the upper basilica and declared: “Today the Italian people turn their gaze here, to Assisi, because Saint Francis is one of the founding figures of the Italian identity”.
During the ceremony, the mayor of L’Aquila Pierluigi Biondi lit the votive lamp of the Italian municipalities with the oil offered by the Abruzzo Region. In the afternoon, pontifical vespers were held presided over by the Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, Monsignor Bruno Forte, followed by the procession towards the upper church and the blessing of Italy.
