Today in Assisi, the mortal remains of St. Francis of Assisi were solemnly transferred from his tomb to the Basilica of St. Francis, opening an unprecedented period of public veneration marking the 800th anniversary of his death. Nearly 350,000 pilgrims have already registered to visit and pray before his relics during the first public extended exhibition of his remains from Feb. 22 to March 22, 2026. In communion with Pope Leo XIV, we entrust this historic moment to the intercession of St. Francis, praying that his witness of peace, conversion, and love for all creation may lead many hearts back to Christ. “Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord… In this age marked by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen.”