For the first time, the bones
traditionally believed to be the relics of St Peter the Apostle will be
on public display for veneration, reports the Catholic News Service.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical
Council for Promoting New Evangelization, said the veneration of the
relics at the Vatican is a fitting way to conclude the Year of Faith
November 24.
Writing in the Vatican newspaper on Friday, the
archbishop, whose office organised many of the Year of Faith events,
said millions of pilgrims marked the Year of Faith by making a
pilgrimage to St Peter's tomb and renewing their profession of faith
there.
'The culminating sign' of the year, he said, 'will be the
exposition for the first time of the relics traditionally recognized as
those of the apostle who gave his life for the Lord here.'