Why would a Catholic want to see a saint’s bones?

On Sunday, October 5, the Vatican announced that for the first time in 800 years, people will be able to view St. Francis of Assisi's relics — his bones — in 2026. The month-long exhibition will be part of the 800th anniversary celebration of the beloved saint's death.

The announcement that St. Francis' bones will soon be on display seemed to trigger two reactions online: "Neat!" and "What?! Why?"

While many of the confused reactions were from non-Catholics, even some Catholics admitted they were mystified.

So what are relics? Do Catholics have to venerate them? Why would someone want to venerate a relic, anyways?

There are three types of relics: first-class, second-class, and third-class.

A first-class relic is a part of the saint's body, such as St. Francis of Assisi's bones or St. Maximilian Kolbe's hair.

Items such as a robe, gloves, or other item belonging to a saint are referred to as "second-class relics," Julie Fitts Ritter, executive director of the Padre Pio Foundation of America, told Aleteia in June. The Padre Pio Foundation of America is bringing second-class relics of Padre Pio, including his robe, to the United States later this year.

A third-class relic is an item that has been touched to a first- or second-class relic.

No. Catholics venerate, not worship, relics, Ritter told Aleteia. Venerate means to regard with respect.

Relics, she said, "are important because they are a physical and tangible connection to the saints and the holy lives they have lived. I believe they inspire faith and can bring a deeper spiritual relationship with the saint and ultimately Jesus."

Venerating a relic, she said, "is a way to bring people together."

"Relics, in general, are often associated with miracles and conversions and in Padre Pio’s case, he is certainly known for both," said Ritter.

Yes. Miracles associated with relics are in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

In the Second Book of Kings, we see a story of a man who was being buried. When a raiding band of Moabites came across the burial, the man was tossed into the grave of Elisha, a prophet, and everyone ran away for safety.

"But when the man came in contact with the bones of Elisha, he came back to life and got to his feet." (2 Kings 13-20-21).

In the Gospel of Mark, a woman is desperate to touch Jesus' cloak — what we could call a second-class relic, although it has touched Christ himself, not a saint — and she knows she will be healed if she does.

“She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.’ Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.” (Mark 5:27-29)

And in the Book of Acts, St. Paul's relics were linked to miracles.

So extraordinary were the mighty deeds God accomplished at the hands of Paul that when face cloths or aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. (Acts 19:11-12)

It is completely fine to be a little bit uneasy, if not downright opposed, about going to see the bones of a saint. Absolutely nobody is obligated to venerate a relic.

Sometimes relics might even be difficult to view for some people, as in the case of the opening of Teresa of Avila's tomb earlier this year.

But, Ritter advised that people might be surprised by what could happen if they decide to give it a chance.

"If someone is nervous about seeing the relics, I would just let them know this is a beautiful experience and being near by these relics will bring them peace," she said.