Italy: The Return of Celestine V

The Return of Celestine V

The bells of L'Aquila tolled dolorously last week in mourning for a missing Pope. The remains of 13th century Pope St. Celestine V -- a nearly intact skeleton with a wax face -- had been stolen from the city's basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio. Celestine occupied St. Peter's chair for five months in 1294, and then abdicated -- an act Dante alluded to as the "great refusal." He was canonized in 1313.

After a nun discovered Celestine's glass casket was empty, authorities began tailing a couple of strangers who had driven through town. Within two days police followed the pair...

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