Mysterious blood-soaked relic linked to history's most beloved saint, St Francis of Assisi, goes on display
The exhibition includes a painted panel of the saint dating to around 1290 — but the crown jewel of the display is the Bandage Relic of the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi, a centuries-old cloth believed to contain his blood.
- Francis' relics have a documented chain of custody dating back to the monastery where he died, Moss said some objects previously attributed to the saint have turned out to be inauthentic.
- Pictures of the relic on display show that the blood on the bandage still appears intensely red, even 800 years later.
- Francis' other relics have been carbon-dated to the appropriate historical period, the bloodstained bandage currently on display has not undergone such testing, according to Moss.
Christians visiting San Francisco have a rare opportunity to see an 800-year-old relic believed to contain the blood of one of history's most beloved saints, St.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "But there has been no scrutiny of this particular relic, which is the most important of the Francis relics," she added.
- LOST CITY IN AREA TIED TO BIBLICAL EXODUS MAY HAVE FINALLY BEEN DISCOVERED IN EGYPT The saint is best known for founding the Franciscan Order, as well as for being the patron saint of animals.
- Francis' life, when he reportedly experienced a vision of a seraph, a six-winged angel, and received the stigmata — wounds resembling those suffered by Jesus Christ during the crucifixion.
- The display commemorates the 800th anniversary of the death of Francis, who lived from approximately 1181 to 1226.
- Francis, but Francis isn't just venerated by Catholics," Moss told Fox News Digital, noting that he is also revered by Orthodox Christians, Anglicans and Lutherans.
- Francis' enduring popularity stems from his extraordinary transformation from a wealthy young man to someone who devoted his life to serving the poor.
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