Plans unveiled for April-June exhibition of Shroud of Turin

March 25, 2015

At a March 25 press conference in Rome, Church officials outlined plans for the exhibition of the Shroud of Turin, which will be held from April 19 to June 24.

The public exhibition, marking the centenary of the birth of St. John Bosco, will reflect that saint’s dedication to young people, said Turin’s Archbishop Cesare Nosaglia. There will be a “mini-Youth Day” during the exhibition.

The organizers are also placing special emphasis on service to the sick and disabled, providing facilities to accommodate them, modeled after the basilica at Lourdes. And the organizers are making an effort to encourage sacramental confession, making priests available to hear confessions in many different languages.

Pope Francis will visit Turin on June 21, praying before the Shroud (and also the altar dedicated to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati) before celebrating Mass on the Piazza Vittorio, a few blocks from the cathedral. The Pontiff will return to Rome the following day, after a series of meeting with different groups of the faithful in Turin.

Archbishop Nosaglia said that plans for the exhibition were deliberately modest, reflecting the austerity that organizers consider appropriate for a time of economic and social distress in the region. The archbishop thanked the individuals and organizations had helped to keep down the costs of the event.

During the exhibition, admission to the cathedral is free, but pilgrims are asked to register in advance in order to control the flow of visitors. A voluntary offering may be made as pilgrims leave the cathedral; those funds will be given to Pope Francis for charitable work.

 

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Further information:

• The exhibition of the Holy Shroud of Turin (VIS)
• Programme of the Holy Father's visit to Turin (VIS)