Eight hundred years after the death of St. Francis of Assisi (1226–2026), his body has been made visible to us again―not as an object of curiosity, but as a tangible presence that speaks to us.
On February 21, 2026, the first public and extended exposition of the mortal remains of St. Francis began at the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi. The event is part of the 800th anniversary commemorating his passing.
On the morning of February 21, Francis’ sarcophagus was reopened in the crypt of the basilica. Those who witnessed the event included His Eminence Cardinal Ángel FERNÁNDEZ ARTIME, Pontifical Legate for the Papal Basilicas of Assisi; the Most Reverend Domenico SORRENTINO, Archbishop Emeritus of Assisi–Nocera Umbra–Gualdo Tadino, (currently Apostolic Administrator); members of the Conventual Franciscan community; friars from the various families of the First Order and the Third Order Regular; religious sisters, lay persons; and members of the faithful. The opening was carried out simply and soberly, without fanfare, in the awareness of being in the presence of a living memory that touches the very roots of the Franciscan vocation. Revealing what had been preserved for centuries was not an aesthetic act; it was above all an ecclesial one. It engaged faith, memory, and tradition, while making our charismatic inheritance visible.
At noon, in the Cimabue Hall of the Colle del Paradiso Conference Center, religious and civil authorities were officially informed of the opening of the exposition. The exhibition was conceived in 2023 by the Custos of Assisi, Friar Marco MORONI, with the support of Archbishop SORRENTINO and encouragement from Pope Francis. It was formally authorized and blessed by Pope Leo XIV as part of the special Jubilee Year marking the Eighth Centenary of St. Francis’ passing.
At 4:00 p.m., the case was solemnly moved from the crypt to the lower church of the basilica, where it was placed at the foot of the papal altar in an atmosphere of prayer and reflection. Carried with great reverence by four friars, the procession was joined by Cardinal FERNÁNDEZ ARTIME, the attending Ministers General, the Custos of the Sacred Convent, and the friars responsible for liturgical service. It was a moving moment, giving visible form to the entrustment of the saint to the veneration of the People of God.
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Originally published by the General Office of Communications of The Order of Friars Minor Conventual on 23 February 2026.
Learn more about the Special Year of St Francis in the Diocese of Parramatta, here.
