The tomb of one of the most renowned saints in the Catholic world is set to be unsealed for the first time in 800 years as part of an ancient mystical ritual.

The remains of Saint Francis of Assisi are set to be removed from his tomb and displayed at the Italian basilica named after him.

The public showcase will last for one month, between February 22 to March 22 next year, as part of a veneration ritual.

In Catholicism, veneration is the traditional practice of honouring and revering saints.

The remains of Saint Francis of Assisi are set to be removed from his tomb and displayed at the Italian basilica named after him

The ancient ritual dates back almost 2000 years, shortly after the death of Saint Polycarp - who was stabbed and burned alive by the Romans after he refused to worship the Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

According to ancient texts, Saint Polycarp's followers collected his remains and treated them with the highest respect.

The remains of Saint Francis will be placed at the base of the papal altar in the lower church of the basilica at Assisi.

Currently, his remains are kept in a glass urn beneath the church and preserved in a decay-preventing nitrogen atmosphere.

The saint's remains are kept in a glass urn beneath the church and preserved in a decay-preventing nitrogen atmosphere

Vatican News has hailed the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis as "a time of remembrance and renewal, a celebration of a life that blossoms from the gift and offering of oneself, a seed sown in the earth that continues to bear fruits of peace, faith, and love".

"The event's motto is 'Saint Francis Lives'."

The Holy See is anticipating a "large influx of faithful" to descend on the basilica and have requested those looking to join in the ancient ritual to book their visit online.

At the end of the pilgrimage path, there will be a short liturgical rite, and each participant will receive a gift from the Franciscan community.

St Francis was born in 1182 as Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone and was a mystic, poet, Catholic friar and founder of the order of the Franciscans.

He was born to a well-off merchant family, but renounced his family's wealth and embraced a life of simplicity after undergoing a spiritual transformation.

It is believed that the transformation was triggered after the saint encountered poverty and experienced a wave of visions.

Followers of the Catholic faith believe St Francis performed a number of miracles, including the "Miracle of the Stigmata", which took place after he was allegedly visited by a six-winged angel in a vision.

Followers of the Catholic faith believe St Francis performed a number of miracles

Saint Francis died at the age of 44 in 1226 and was canonised by Pope Gregory IX just two years later.

His followers initially hid his body to avoid desecration and its location remained a mystery for almost 600 years.

The saint's remains were finally uncovered in 1818 after Pope Pius VII ordered an excavation.

His body was found hidden among treasure, including coins, a ring and beads.