(AGENPARL) - Roma, 21 Febbraio 2026 - (AGENPARL) – Sat 21 February 2026 THE PAPAL BASILICA HOSTS THE HISTORIC VENERATION OF THE MORTAL REMAINS OF SAINT FRANCIS
ASSISI, February 21 – On the occasion of the 8th Centenary of the death of Saint Francis (1226–2026), following the press conference held today at noon in the Cimabue Hall of the Colle del Paradiso Conference Center, the community of friars at the Sacro Convento in Assisi is inaugurating the first-ever public and extended veneration of the Saint’s mortal remains.
The announcement, warmly received by religious and civil authorities as well as national and international media, marks the beginning of a historic moment that unites the faithful, pilgrims, and institutions in the spirit of universal fraternity. The solemn event will begin this afternoon, offering everyone an unprecedented opportunity to pause in prayer before the remains of Saint Francis, rediscovering the depth of his message of friendship, selflessness, and hope.
The guiding inspiration behind the exposition event is the Gospel parable of the seed (John 12:24): “What dies in love germinates and bears fruit.” This awareness, eloquently expressed through the mortal remains of Saint Francis, serves as an invitation to view one’s personal life in a similar light: like Francis, each person is called to give themselves generously in relationships, becoming a living tree of fraternity that continues to bear fruit in the history of the Church and the world. In this regard, the painting titled “Frate Francesco” by artist Elisa Galardi—whom we sincerely thank—is particularly meaningful. It graces the cover of the February issue of the monthly magazine San Francesco, as we will see later on..
"On behalf of the Father Custodian of the Sacred Convent, Fra Marco Moroni, and our Franciscan Community, – declared Fra Giulio Cesareo, OFMConv, – I wish to emphasize that the veneration of the mortal remains of Saint Francis is one of many initiatives in Assisi, in Italy, and around the world testifies to how the Saint of Assisi remains, even today, a gift for everyone.
Through him, and thanks to the inspiration we draw if we learn from him, our relationships can rediscover fraternity, the world appears to us as the Common home, and the future opens as a womb of hope. For us, this vitality and depth of Francis find their roots solely in his sincere and profound adherence to Christ and His Gospel. Yet, even for those who do not believe, Saint Francis is good news: the concrete, historically proven possibility of a human life not based on competition but on collaboration and mutual service.
In this context, while we express our heartfelt thanks and extend our warmest regards to Pope Leo XIV, who generously authorized and blessed this initiative, we also wish to remember with deep gratitude Pope Francis. In December 2023, he welcomed friar Marco’s intuition of this initiative with great openness and words of encouragement. Pope Francis, through his ministry, has helped everyone, and especially us Franciscans, to rediscover the enduring relevance of Saint Francis’s insights, particularly in the face of the complex challenges of our time."
The press conference presenting the exposition of the mortal remains of Saint Francis, held at 12 PM in the Cimabue Hall of the Colle del Paradiso Conference Center, was attended by Fra Marco Moroni, OFMConv, Custodian of the Sacro Convento; Monsignor Domenico Sorrentino, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino and of Foligno; Davide Rondoni (joining remotely), President of the National Committee for the 8th Centenary Celebrations of the Death of Saint Francis; Stefania Proietti, President of the Umbria Region; and Valter Stoppini, Mayor of Assisi.
The initiative of the veneration has been made possible through the collaboration and support of various organizations, numerous partners, and sponsors, including Avvenire, Officina della Comunicazione, the National Committee for the 8th Centenary, volunteer associations, and local and national institutions. It was further supported by the invaluable assistance of law enforcement and many technical and business entities, whose full list is provided below.
In recent weeks, preparations for the exposition have included significant milestones, such as the first inspection of the sarcophagus on the night of January 9, attended by the diocesan bishop, Monsignor Sorrentino.
This morning, starting at 9 AM, the mortal remains of Saint Francis were exhumed from the sarcophagus where they rest, in the presence of several friars from the community. The remains were placed on a specially prepared table in the crypt of the Basilica. From there, the celebration of the translation will begin at 4 PM, followed by Evening prayer in the lower church, attended by approximately 300 friars.
The celebration, presided over by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pontifical Delegate for the Papal Basilicas of Assisi, will be broadcasted live on RAI1 as part of the program “A Sua Immagine.” The friars extend their heartfelt thanks to the program’s staff (authors, director, etc.) for their invaluable and effective collaboration.
Tomorrow, February 22, at 11 AM, the Sunday Eucharistic celebration, also presided over by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, will be broadcasted live on Rai1 as part of the program “A Sua Immagine.”
As previously announced, the exposition will continue until March 22, offering an invitation to rediscover the legacy of Francis, a man whose message of peace and fraternity continues to resonate deeply with humanity. Remembering his death means celebrating his life and the impact that, 800 years later, still inspires our journey.
The entire month will feature a rich calendar of liturgical and cultural events designed to encourage participation and reflection. Among the religious and cultural events marking this month of the exposition are:
The vigil with members of the Italian Parliament and representatives of the Republic’s institutions on March 12 at 8 PM.
The Franciscan Youth Meeting titled “Sister Death: An Experience to Embrace” at the Sacred Convent on March 14 and 15.
The conference titled “For Francis, Sister Death: A Provocation to Life” to be held at the Domus Pacis in Santa Maria degli Angeli from March 20 to 22.
The solemn concluding celebration of the exposition will take place on March 22 at 5 PM in the Upper Church, presided over by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference.
To accompany this time of grace, special in-depth resources have been created. The monthly magazine San Francesco Patrono d’Italia has published a collector’s edition titled “San Francesco Vive”, a 160-page volume that explores the figure of the Saint and the legacy of Franciscanism. From next Tuesday it will be possible to buy it even in newsstands together with the newspaper Avvenire. More information are available here https://www.sanfrancescopatronoditalia.it/notizie/francescanesimo/san-francesco-vive–un-numero-da-collezione-per-raccontare-800-anni-di-storia-53799
Additionally, the podcast “Parole Povere” offers reflections on the meaning of the exposition in episodes featuring Fra Giulio Cesareo:
Episode 20: “A Wonderful Opportunity”(https://youtu.be/RBm3e_HtfRs?si=se_ZXL85YW1G5ktj)
Episode 30: “Dwarfs on the Shoulders of Francis”(https://youtu.be/OyeLHEiP1Jg?si=eNkFRvXlN-JJ9iUa)
Information and updates are constantly available on the official centenary website for the initiatives of the Basilica of Saint Francis: sanfrancescovive.org (available in Italian and English).
Meanwhile, today, the new portal www.giovaniversoassisi.org debuted. This "digital gateway" is dedicated to young people, fostering dialogue with new generations and centralizing the educational offerings of the Franciscan Youth Center, including extraordinary centenary events such as the Franciscan Youth Meeting on Sister Death on March 14–15, with more than 400 young people registered.
Numbers
Pilgrims
As of today, approximately 370,000 people from five continents have registered to venerate the relics of Saint Francis, with the majority being Italian (80%). Registrations include 5,000 from the USA, 3,100 from Croatia, 2,000 from Slovakia, 1,500 from Brazil and France, 234 from Indonesia, 37 from Japan, 1,000 from the United Kingdom, and a few from Kenya, Jamaica, and Singapore.
There are around 400 volunteers involved:
63% are women, and 37% are men.
Age range: Between 16 and 80 years old.
Origins: Italy, European countries, as well as America, Australia, Pakistan, India, and Kenya.
Volunteers belong to over 60 associations, including:
The Veneration of the Mortal Remains of Saint Francis: Path, Procedures, Locations, and Opportunities
The opportunity to venerate the remains of Saint Francis is reserved exclusively for those who have registered for free on the official portal, sanfrancescovive.org / saintfrancisliveson.org. Entry on weekdays begins at 7:30 AM (7:00 AM on weekends), with closing at 7:00 PM. All Eucharistic celebrations (Holy Masses) will take place in the Upper Church, and participation in these is also only possible with prior registration.
Registered visitors, upon arrival at the welcome tent—set up specifically for the occasion in the lower square—will receive:
The Pilgrim’s Booklet: This includes information about the locations, schedules, and opportunities for the experience, along with a text that prepares visitors for the veneration by highlighting the artistic treasures of the Basilica. On the last page, pilgrims can also receive the traditional pilgrim’s stamp, as is customary during pilgrimages to some of Christianity’s most renowned sanctuaries.
A sheet to write a prayer to Saint Francis: This can be placed beside the urn containing the Saint’s remains.
A holy card with the Pilgrim’s Prayer.
Veneration Options
There are two veneration options, depending on the day and time:
Path A (guided by a friar: from 10 AM to 4 PM, Monday to Friday): This option is for linguistically homogeneous groups of up to 60 people. It includes a welcoming catechesis, followed by the veneration, and concludes with the liturgy for the renewal of baptismal promises in the San Bonaventura Chapel within the Sacred Convent. Pilgrims on this path will also receive a symbolic gift: a biodegradable pot containing dried peat and wheat seeds, allowing them to recreate at home the experience of the seed, which must "die" to become fruitful.
Path B (self-guided): Available before 10 AM and after 4 PM on weekdays, and all day on weekends. This is a self-guided experience for pilgrims equipped with the booklet containing essential information for the visit.
Photography and videography are not permitted inside the Basilica.
Within the friary, a dedicated area has been set up for confessions (Cappella Frate Leone), a room for registering Mass intentions, making offerings, acquiring the collector’s edition of the magazine San Francesco Vive and receiving the official stamp on their pilgrim’s record (Sala della Pace).
The offerings collected will not only cover the costs of the exposition initiative but will also support a pediatric oncology hospice, as recently approved by the Umbria Region (See: Umbria Region News).
Additionally, in the upper level of the cloister a photoexposition on the discovery of Saint Francis’s body in the 19th century has been set up; there people can visit the Museum of the Treasury too and the “Ricordi Francescani” store.
Accessibility Improvements
The initiative of the ostension has led to numerous interventions aimed at improving the accessibility in most areas of the monumental complex of the Basilica and the Sacro Convento. Following the installation of tactile maps, created on the occasion of the G7 on disability and inclusion, a new elevator has been installed in recent months, located at the exit of the right transept, to allow access to the cloister from the lower church. Additionally, an elevator has been made available to reach the upper cloister, and ramps have been installed to eliminate architectural barriers throughout the area. These interventions represent a significant step forward in improving the accessibility of such a precious, ancient, and complex building. Even the current area for confessions, located in the Frate Leone chapel within the friary, is now accessible to people with phisical disabilities.
AcknowledgmentsThe community of friars at the Sacro Convento of Saint Francis in Assisi extends heartfelt thanks to:
Volunteers.
Partners:
Avvenire
Musa Ideas Factory / Prenota un Posto
Officina della Comunicazione
GS Elettronica
Institutions:
Comitato Nazionale per le Celebrazioni dell’Ottavo Centenario della Morte di San Francesco, Regione Umbria, Città di Assisi,
Supporters: Fibraweb, Intesa Sanpaolo, Tecnoservice, Valle Di Assisi, Centro Italia Veicoli Industriali, Colacem, Luigi Metelli Spa, Manini Prefabbricati, Scai- Società Costruzioni Attrezzature Industriali, Esg89 Group
Security Providers:
Law enforcement: Guardia di Finanza, Vigili del fuoco, Polizia, Arma dei carabinieri, Esercito, Polizia locale.
and then: Microlab, CIAM, Soluzioni Tecniche Studio Associato; Advancis System Partner; AVS Electronics; Sicurit Alarmitalia; Hikvision; Officine Meccaniche Galletti, Adalab Officina Informatica; March Networks.
Closing Press ConferenceThe closing press conference for the veneration of the mortal remains of Saint Francis is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, in the Press Room of the Sacro Convento.
Information for journalists and communication staff
Details about the Volunteers
Origins: Volunteers come from Italy, Romania, France, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Greece, Serbia, Russia, Brazil, Peru, Australia, Mexico, Hungary, Kenya, Pakistan, Mozambique, the Czech Republic, Morocco, India, Belgium, and Moldova.
Affiliated Organizations: Ente Calendimaggio; Pro loco Assisi; Pro Loco Valmontone; Pro Loco Rignano/Flaminio; Gruppo Corsi di Cristianità – Cursillos (da Gualdo Tadino); Istituto Alberghiero; Movimento Laudato si’; Milizia dell’Immacolata; Ordine Francescano Secolare; Hospitale Laudato Si’; Umbria – Associazione Nazionale Carabinieri, Sigillo; Associazione Gruppo Monte Cucco; Gualdo Tadino Associazione Gruppo Sorgente; Foligno – Associazione Gruppo Volontari Città Di Foligno; Acquasparta – Associazione Il Cuore Verde dell’Umbria; Terni – Associazione Pro.Civ. Collescipoli Odv; Perugia – Associazione La Rosa dell’Umbria Perugia ODV; Bevagna – Associazione E.C.B. Emergenza Calamità; Bevagna ODV; Cascia – Associazione Gruppo Volontari Valnerina; Cascia – Associazione Prociv Santa Rita; Montone Associazione Gruppo Comunale; Gubbio – Associazione Gruppo Città di Gubbio; Citerna – Associazione Protezione Civile; Stroncone – Associazione Albatros; Corciano – Gruppo Di Protezione Civile; Perugia – Raggruppamento Speciale; Città Di Castello – Associazione Gruppo Comunale; Foligno – Guardie Ambientali Umbria ODV; Perugia – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Gualdo Cattaneo – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Deruta – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Narni – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Terni – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Spello – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Campello Sul Clitunno – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Bastia Umbra – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Baschi – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Nocera Umbra – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Valfabbrica – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Cannara – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Montecastrilli – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Torgiano – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Marsciano – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Massa Martana – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile; Umbria – Cisom Raggruppamento; Magione – Fraternita Misericordia; Spoleto – S.O.G.It. – Croce di San Giovanni Le Aquile; Montegabbione – Associazione Confraternita Di Misericordia.