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Pope Leo to See Christ's Tunic Relic in France
Developing
In Short: More than 80,000 French young people have registered for the prayer vigil at the Stade de France, where Pope Leo will see the Holy Tunic, a relic believed to be worn by Christ during his passion.
The Holy Tunic, preserved in the Basilica of Saint-Denis in Argenteuil, France, will travel nearly four miles to the Stade de France for the youth vigil.
Father Guy-Emmanuel Cariot, former rector of the basilica, noted that Leo is the first pope to see the tunic since the time of St. Peter.
The tunic, which has appeared in historical records since 1072, is put on display every 50 years and on extraordinary occasions.
This exposition is unprecedented, as it marks the first time a pope will witness the Holy Tunic during an extraordinary event.
The tunic will be displayed at the conclusion of the youth vigil at the Stade de France, part of Pope Leo's packed schedule during his trip to France.
The route the tunic will take is being kept confidential due to security concerns, stemming from a theft in 1983 when the relic disappeared for a couple of months.
The tunic has been kept in Argenteuil for more than 1,200 years and is one of several relics of Christ’s passion preserved in France.
What's still developing
- That may be an exaggeration, but it is true that there has never before been an extraordinary exposition of the relic during a papal journey and in the presence of a pontiff.