Editorial photo #13670695 Religion and Belief

Basilica Of La Verna Franciscan Sanctuary With Arched Portico And Bell Tower, Tuscany

The ancient woollen habit traditionally attributed to St. Francis of Assisi is displayed in an illuminated conservation case at the Sanctuary of La Verna, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy, on April 9, 2026. The coarse dark-brown tunic with a separate pointed hood shows extensive deterioration, tears, and a large fragmentary void at the chest, consistent with centuries of handling and veneration. A black-and-white chessboard marble floor is partially visible surrounding the case. Preserved as a first-class Franciscan relic, the garment is among the most significant devotional objects at La Verna, where Francis spent extended periods of solitary prayer between 1213 and his death in 1226, including the retreat during which he received the stigmata. (Photo by Matteo Della Torre/NurPhoto)