The number of pilgrims in the city of Assisi continues to rise every year. This is confirmed by the annual count carried out by the Basilica of St Francis. Last year, 4,483 people passed through the temple, where the saint is buried, which is 256 more than in 2023.
Friar Rafael Normando, Coordinator at Statio Peregrinorum said that since 2015, they have had a steady increase in growth of pilgrims visiting each year.
Almost half of them are Italians, although the number has decreased in recent years, followed by Germans, Americans and French. Of course, pilgrims from other parts of the world have also come to the basilica.
“They received a few pilgrims from some places that were a bit peculiar,” Friar Rafael said.
“They received a Chinese, they received one from Ukraine as well, and even a pilgrim from Zimbabwe came to do the Francis Way.”
The basilica where St Francis is buried is not the only wonderful spiritual attraction that lies in Assisi. The small towns also holds the incorrupt body of Carlo Acutis, who will become a Saint on 27 April.
Pope Francis has visited Assisi on several occasions. For example, in 2016 he was praying at the place where the Franciscan movement began.
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