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Pope Benedict to Visit the Shroud of Turin

   VOA News 02 May 2010
   Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithfuls as he arrives to celebrate a mass
   at San Carlo square in central Turin, 02 May 2010

Photo: AFP

   Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithfuls as he arrives to celebrate a mass
   at San Carlo square in central Turin, 02 May 2010

   Pope  Benedict  has  celebrated  Mass  in the northern Italian city of
   Turin,  where  he  traveled  to  visit the shroud that some Christians
   believe was the burial cloth of Jesus Christ.

   Pilgrims  and  tourists from all over the world are coming to Turin to
   see  the  shroud,  which  has  not  been on public display since 2000.
   Visitors  are  only  allowed three minutes to view the cloth, which is
   being  displayed  in  a  bulletproof, climate-controlled glass case in
   Turin Cathedral.

   The  cloth,  measuring  nearly  four-and-a-half  meters by more than a
   meter,  bears an image of the back and front of a bearded man, who had
   been  crucified.  The  image,  which  is  reversed like a photographic
   negative,  is  marked  with what appear to be rivulets of blood in the
   wrists, feet and side.

   Carbon  dating  tests in 1988 indicated the shroud dates from medieval
   times.  But  some  scientists  have  called  for  use  of  more modern
   techniques not available in 1988 to determine its precise age.

   The  shroud  had  been  the  property of Italy's former royal house of
   Savoy until 1983, when it was given to Pope John Paul (the second).

   The  Catholic  Church  does not claim the shroud is authentic. But the
   pope  said  that  its  display will be an occasion "to contemplate the
   mysterious face which speaks to the heart of men."

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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