The discovery of Saint Peter’s tomb, located beneath the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, is a significant event in Catholic history, with archaeological excavations revealing a small funerary monument and inscriptions that point to the location of the Apostle’s burial.

Key Discoveries and Events:

  • 1939 Excavations:Archaeological excavations, initiated in 1939, revealed a pagan mausoleum complex beneath the foundations of St. Peter’s Basilica, known as the Vatican Necropolis, dating to the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
  • 1949 Discovery:The discovery of Saint Peter’s tomb, directly beneath Bernini’s high altar, with the remains of a small funerary monument, was made in 1949.
  • Inscriptions and Graffiti:Archaeologist Margherita Guarducci deciphered inscriptions, including “Peter is near” and “Petros eni,” further supporting the identification of the tomb as Saint Peter’s.
  • Pope Pius XII’s Confirmation:Pope Pius XII confirmed the discovery in 1950, stating that “the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles has been found”.
  • Public Display of Relics:In 2013, Pope Francis presented part of the relics, consisting of bone fragments, for the first time in public during a Mass in St. Peter’s Square.
  • Transfer of Relics:In 2019, Pope Francis transferred nine bone fragments to Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, as a sign of ongoing work towards communion between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.
  • Ongoing Significance:The tomb of Saint Peter remains a central focus for Christians and a symbol of the Catholic Church’s history and leadership.