Italy: 'Shroud of Turin' to go on display for first time in 5 years

Preparations for the exhibition of the 'Shroud of Turin' were underway at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Saturday, as the alleged burial cloth of Jesus will be displayed to the public for the first time in five years tomorrow. Millions of worshippers and tourists are expected to flock to the city for a close view of the relic which is exhibited from April 19 until June 24. The 4.42m (14.5 ft) long, 1.13m (3.7 ft) wide cloth is made of herring-bone linen and appears to have a front-and-back impression of a bearded, deceased man. Critics have argued the shroud is nothing but a medieval hoax, after carbon dating tests concluded the linen was made between 1260 and 1390. Believers argue that a mistake was made during the tests and Pope Francis is expected to pray in front of the shroud on June 24. Over one million tickets have been reserved for the exhibition, which will be inaugurated with a mass at 11am on Sunday.