World · 22 February 2026
400,000 people book visits to see saint's bones
Photo by Rachael Cox on Unsplash
The skeleton of St Francis is now visible at an Italian basilica to mark 800 years since his death. Officials confirm that approximately 400,000 international visitors have secured reservations to view the remains. The nitrogen-filled case serves as the centrepiece and will remain accessible until 22 March. This occurrence is rare, as the relic was publicly shown only once before in 1978.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs