Skeleton Unveiled and Exhibition Timeline Set The complete skeleton of St. Francis was exhumed on Saturday, February 22, and placed on display in the lower basilica of Assisi for the first public viewing in its history [1]. The bones rest in a bullet‑proof glass case and the exhibition runs through March 22, offering guided tours that emphasize the saint’s legacy [1]. This marks the first full‑scale display since a brief showing in 1978, and the event coincides with the 800th anniversary of Francis’s death in 1226 [1].

Pilgrim Registrations Surge Toward Half‑Million Mark City officials report that nearly 400,000 pilgrims have pre‑registered to pray before the relics, and Mayor Valter Stoppini estimates total attendance could reach 500,000 before the exhibit closes [2]. A volunteer corps of 400 people is directing crowds through Assisi’s narrow cobblestone streets into the basilica, helping manage the unprecedented flow [2]. The surge includes a notable increase in young Latin‑American visitors, spurred by the recent canonization of teen saint Carlo Acutis [2].

Historical Journey of Francis’s Remains Highlighted Francis, the 13th‑century founder of the Franciscan Order, was buried in 1226, his body hidden for centuries before being rediscovered in 1818 [1]. The saint was briefly exhibited in 1978, but the current display is the first to present the entire skeleton to the public [1]. Pope John Paul II named him patron of ecology in 1979, and Pope Francis referenced him in the 2015 encyclical Laudato Si [1].

City Infrastructure Strains Under Month‑Long Pilgrimage Mayor Stoppini warns that Assisi’s infrastructure, accustomed to short‑term pilgrim spikes, will be tested by a month‑long influx of visitors [2]. The municipality has opened additional parking lots and launched a shuttle service to alleviate traffic congestion [2]. Local merchants report a sharp rise in souvenir sales, and resident Riccardo Bacconi notes the economic benefits outweigh the inconveniences [2].

Security and Volunteer Management Ensure Safe Viewing The relics are housed in a reinforced glass enclosure to protect the fragile bones, while the 300 friars who attended the solemn Vespers service on the day of exhumation underscore the religious significance of the event [1]. Volunteers receive training to guide pilgrims safely through the basilica’s narrow aisles, reducing the risk of crowding [2]. Ongoing security measures and crowd‑control protocols aim to preserve both the sanctity of the relics and the safety of the thousands of visitors [1][2].