Between February 22 and March 22, 2026, in honor of the 800th anniversary of his death, the relics of Saint Francis’ body will be displayed for public veneration in the Lower Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi. The saint’s body will be visible to the public in a rare and extraordinary event that will welcome pilgrims from around the world. This will be the first extended public display of the mortal remains of Saint Francis, lasting an entire month. The announcement was made by the Sacro Convento of Assisi on October 4, 2025, the feast of Saint Francis, and was made possible by the approval of Pope Leo XIV, through the Vatican Secretariat of State, who called it “an extraordinary gift.”
For the occasion, the body of Saint Francis will be transferred from his tomb in the crypt and placed at the foot of the papal altar in the Lower Basilica. A tour accessible to all, with particular attention to those with physical or visual disabilities, is planned. The announcement of the event coincides with the Italian Parliament’s approval of a law that, starting in 2026, will include October 4 in the calendar of national holidays. The day will be dedicated to the Franciscan values of peace, fraternity and care for creation. The event’s name “San Francesco Vive” (Saint Francis Lives) was chosen for the celebration of the 800th anniversary of his death, reflecting the current Gospel theme of “the seed that dies to bear fruit.” The Saint’s values of peace, fraternity, service to the poor and care for creation are considered still relevant, 800 years after his death, and therefore deserve to be celebrated.
A huge turnout is expected for the event, in the context of already growing tourism in this Umbrian town. Every year, Assisi sees a growing influx of tourists, currently reaching 1.5 million annual visitors, 353,000 of them during the Christmas season alone (2024 data). The huge influx of visitors expected for the 2026 event explains the importance of careful planning. Visits to the Basilica and the relics are free, but reservations are required. Reservations can be made on the official website choosing between two visit options:
Option A – Accompanied by a friar
Visitors will take part in a guided tour with a Franciscan friar, who will also accompany them during a moment of prayer after the visit. This option will be available Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in several languages.
Option B – Self-guided
This option is designed for those who prefer a private moment of silence before the relic. Access to the relic is independent, along the predefined route, together with other pilgrims. This option will be available Monday through Friday: 8:00 am to 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The Basilica of Saint Francis complex is also a place where attending Mass can take on a powerful meaning. From February 22 to March 22, 2026, all Masses will be held in the Upper Basilica. From Monday to Saturday, two International Masses will also be celebrated daily, at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, simultaneously in multiple languages to celebrate the inclusion of all pilgrims. Reservations are also free, but required due to the limited capacity of the Upper Basilica. Masses can be booked on the same reservation page by scrolling to the bottom for the dedicated section.
For those in Italy during this period, Assisi is easily accessible by train from major Italian cities. From Rome Termini Station, you can reach the Assisi/Santa Maria degli Angeli station in about 2-2.5 hours, with a change in Terontola or Foligno. From Florence, the journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a change in Terontola.
For those arriving by car, Assisi can be reached from Rome in about 2.5 hours by taking the A1 highway north to the Orte exit, then continuing on the SS675/SS75 towards Assisi/Santa Maria degli Angeli. Those arriving from Florence or northern Italy can instead take the A1 highway south, exiting at Valdichiana.
Once in Assisi, it’s important to remember that the old town is a limited traffic zone (ZTL), not accessible to non-residents, except for those arriving at their hotels (with a permit). Vehicles must therefore be left outside the walls or under the hill, in one of the numerous parking lots, often equipped with elevators and walkways leading directly into the city walls. Recommended parking lots, among the closest to the Basilica, are the Piazza Giovanni Paolo II Parking Lot and the Porta San Giacomo Parking Lot. Assisi is easily explored on foot: the medieval borgo is compact and invites a leisurely exploration, walking to its edge, where the Basilica of Saint Francis marks the end of the village and the hill, opening onto the friars’ convent and the cliff overlooking the Umbrian valleys.
– Kathy McCabe