(ANS - Turin) - The display of the Shroud in 2015, closely linked to the Bicentennial of the birth of Don Bosco was closed last Wednesday, June 24, on the feast of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of Turin. "It was an exposition that was the most participated and experienced by pilgrims for its human and spiritual intensity," said the archbishop of the city, Msgr. Nosiglia, in the closing press conference.

Msgr. Nosiglia also noted the quality of the organization and the welcome ... “excellent for the kindness and friendliness of the volunteers." The pathway leading towards the Shroud – thanks to the panels depicting the Turin saints and the short preparatory film - proved to be a useful aid to further the veneration of the Holy Shroud with the right preparation. "And all the pilgrims had the opportunity and a relatively sufficient time to pause in prayerful silence before the Shroud," the prelate added.

"It had a very large and a varied pilgrims' profile - continued the archbishop -families with children, young people, the homeless and the poor, Orthodox and Evangelicals, Muslims and members of other religions, people from Europe, America, Africa, Middle East and Asia." There were also personalities from the religious and secular world. In total, during the 67-day exposition, it was estimated that the pilgrims have been over 2 million.

A specific event that is worthy of note was the Pope's visit, in which, said Msgr. Nosiglia "he bestowed on me a thank you and a blessing to the volunteers of the Shroud and to those who have done their utmost for the success of the Display." Moreover, thanks to the donations of the pilgrims and the faithful of Turin, an amount of more than 1 million Euro has been collected, which the Holy Father will allocate to a work of charity in favor of the least ones of the city. "In a few days, we will determine how to carry this out together with Caritas, the Office for Migrants and the Ministry of Health," said the archbishop.

The Pope has also written a note of greeting and blessing to the youth who greeted him on his way to the airport of Caselle-Turin. The text is as follows: "Dear children, I left Turin after my visit, bearing in my heart your joyful greeting, I have blessed you and I invite you to always be friends of Jesus and among yourselves, to give to everyone his Gospel of love and peace."

Posted on 06/26/2015