St. Francis of Assisi’s bones are on display in Assisi, Italy, for the first time in 800 years, drawing massive crowds.

The bones of St. Francis of Assisi are being displayed for the first time in Assisi, Italy, from February 22 to March 22, 2026, marking the 800th anniversary of his death. The monthlong exhibition, held in the lower Basilica of St. Francis, features the relics in a bulletproof glass case and has drawn nearly 400,000 registered visitors, with estimates reaching half a million. Organized by Franciscan friars and city officials, the event aims to honor the saint’s legacy and offer pilgrims a spiritual experience. While it boosts tourism and local businesses, the sustained influx strains the medieval town’s narrow streets, infrastructure, and residents, especially as young pilgrims also visit to honor recently canonized teen saint Carlo Acutis.