St. Peter’s bones

Posted on November 25, 2013 Updated on November 25, 2013

Pope Francis unveiled a box, November 24, 2013, which holds the bones of St. Peter. There has been much debate, as you can imagine, as to whether these are really the bones of St. Peter’s.

Kids are naturally curious about bones and love this part of the history of St. Peter’s Basilica. Inside that box is a beautifully jeweled box which holds 9 small pieces of bones. In 1939, when Pope Pius XI was buried, a casket was found that said, “Peter is here.”  One of the workers who was helping with the burial was given the bones founds in the casket and kept them in a shoebox. (Is anyone else wondering why the bones from a casket that said “Peter is here.” were just given away?)

Something else the kid will love: Be sure to tell them that the reason we aren’t sure if those are the real bones of St. Peter is because they have never been scientifically studied. Why? There is a 1,000 year curse which threatens anyone who disturbs the peace of St. Peter’s tomb with a horrible disaster. So, no pope has ever allowed the study.

Bones and curses…..kids will LOVE.

Happy Travels,

Miss ET