Pope: Remains Of St. Paul The Apostle Identified

June 30, 2009 9:39 a.m. EST

Rome, Italy (AHN) - The remains of St. Paul the Apostle have been tentatively identified, Pope Benedict XVI announced Sunday night.

The remains, consisting of tiny pieces of bone, grains of incense and pieces of fabric, were taken from a tomb inside a church traditionally identified as the resting place for the 1st century martyr.

The pope announced the discovery during a mass at the church, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The mass marked the end of the Pauline Year, dedicated to the 2,000th birthday of Paul.

Pope Benedict described in detail how the remains were excavated:

"A tiny perforation was made in the sarcophagus, which has never been opened over the centuries. A special probe was introduced, which detected traces of a precious purple-dyed linen fabric covered in gold sequins and a blue fabric with linen threads. Grains of red incense, as well as protein and calcareous substances, were also detected," he said, according to the Web site Corriere della sera.

"Tiny fragments of bone were found. After carbon dating by experts who had not been informed of their provenance, the fragments were found to be from an individual who lived in the first or second century," the pontiff continued.

"This appears to confirm the undisputed tradition that they are the mortal remains of the apostle Paul. All this fills our spirit with profound emotion," Pope Benedict said.

Paul is believed to have been beheaded about 67 AD at the site where the basilica now stands.