Don’t miss the full story, whose reporting from Nicole Winfield and Gregorio Borgia at The Associated Press is the basis of this artificial intelligence-assisted article.
The bones of St. Francis of Assisi went on public display for the first time in history at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, drawing nearly 400,000 pre-registered visitors for a one-month exposition honoring the 800th anniversary of his death.
Some key facts:
• The bone fragments are displayed in a bulletproof Plexiglas case in the lower Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy.
• Nearly 400,000 people registered in advance for timed, 10-minute viewing slots to see the relics.
• The exposition runs for one month, through March 22, marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in 1226.
• St. Francis was born in 1182 as the son of a wealthy merchant and gave up all his possessions to live as a mendicant friar.
• St. Francis is documented as the first saint to acquire the stigmata, the marks of Christ on the cross.
• His body was secretly hidden by Brother Elias on the eve of its transfer to the basilica, out of fear it would be stolen, and remained hidden until excavations in 1818 discovered the remains.
• Pope Pius VII confirmed in 1818 that the discovered bones belonged to St. Francis.
• Pope Francis took his name in honor of the saint, becoming the first pope ever to do so.
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Steve Fink, Director of Artificial Intelligence, at sfink@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
