VATICAN CITY, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The relics of St. Peter were displayed publicly for the first time during a closing Year of Faith mass at St. Peter's Square Sunday, the Vatican said.
At the end of his homily, Pope Francis held the relics, including eight bone fragments, as he prayed, Romereports.com said.
Thousands attended the mass Sunday.
Pope Francis thanked Benedict XVI, who launched the initiative to hold the mass, as well as the 250 clergymen who took part.
Fifty clergymen were also available during the celebration to administer confession.
During his homily, Pope Francis told the attendees to hold Christ at the center of their lives.
"This way our thoughts will be Christian thoughts, thoughts of Christ. Our works will be Christian works based on Christ," he said.
