Pope Benedict Visits Shroud of Turin

Pope Benedict XVI visited the Shroud of Turin. He knelt and prayed before Christianity¡¯s most famous relic. The shroud went on display at the Turin Cathedral in April for the first time in 10 years.

Before visiting the shroud, the Pope had a mass before thousands of people in Turin¡¯s St. Charles Square.

¡±Do not lose the hope that comes from the Risen Christ, from the victory of God over sin and death,¡± Benedict told the people.

¡±Keeping up that hope is the message of the Shroud of Turin. Disciples see their sufferings mirrored in the suffering of Christ,¡± he added.

The Shroud of Turin is a centuries-old linen cloth. It is believed by some Christians to be Jesus Christ¡¯s burial cloth. It was last on display in 2000 and had a major restoration in 2002.

In addition to the Pope, more than two million people visited the shroud while it was on display.