ROME - A long line of pilgrims and visitors snaked outside the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Italy on Sunday as his remains went on public display for the first time.
Many families with children, couples and elderly people could be seen under a large white marquee, waiting their turn to see the 13th century skeleton of Italy's patron saint.
After passing through metal detectors, groups of about 750 people were being allowed into the hill town basilica's lower church every half an hour starting from 7:00am.
The Franciscan order says some 400,000 people have reserved visits to see the remains, which will be on display until March 22.
St Francis founded the Franciscan order after renouncing his wealth and devoting his life to the poor.
The remains are being shown in a plexiglass case by the richly-decorated church's altar for the 800th anniversary of his death.
The public are allowed to touch the outer glass case.
As they viewed the remains laid out on a white silk sheet, many pilgrims made the sign of the cross, others kneeled down.
One visitor touched her rosary beads on the case. Many had tears in their eyes.
Apart from previous exhumations for inspection and scientific examination, the bones of Saint Francis have only been displayed once, in 1978, to a very limited public and for just one day.
The skull was also damaged when the body was moved into the basilica in the 13th century.