Ancient Catholic Ritual as Pope Visits Naples
WHITFIELD: An ancient catholic ritual on full display during the pope's visit to Naples this week has many of the faithful using the word miracle. It happened Saturday when the dried blood of a Naples patron saint half-liquefied during a ceremony with Pope Francis and the archbishop of Naples. The catholic faithful believed it's a miracle when the saint's dry blood turns to liquid. So what is the story behind in saint and this vial of dry blood? For answers, let's bring in CNN's senior Vatican analyst John Allen. He joins us via Skype. So, John, who is this Naples patron saint and why is his dried blood in this vial?</s>JOHN ALLEN, CNN SENIOR VATICAN ANALYST: Hey, Fredricka. In English we would call him St. Januarius. For the Italians, it is San Gennaro, but in any event, this is the patron saint of the city of Naples. Tradition says there aren't actually any historical records to attest to this, but tradition says that he was a bishop in the late 3rd and early 4th century, then a martyr during one of the periodic Roman persecutions. Supposedly he died in (inaudible). His body -- parts of his body were divided up among various sites, but there's this vial of his blood that's been preserved. It was lost for centuries, but then sort of unearthed in the 14th century and brought back to Naples by the guy who was then the (inaudible) bishop. And ever since, this vial has been on display in the cathedral in Naples. And, Fredricka, it is actually believed to liquefy, that is to take on a liquid state, at least three times a year, once in December, which is his feast day. Again in September, which is kind of a feast for the city of Naples, and also in May, which believe it or not was the day on the 14th century when all of the various parts of his body were reunified. This is a miracle that is believed to take place at least three times a year. And it happens regardless of who is present, which is why in this case, if it is to partially liquefy and Pope Francis is there, he's getting some credit as to why it had liquefy a time outside of those three times a year? And also...</s>WHITFIELD: And it happens regardless who is present which is why in this case, it is partly liquefied and Pope Francis is there. He is getting some credit as to why it would liquefy time outside of those three times a year.</s>ALLEN: Yeah, that's right. This is the first time -- now, they will say it will occasionally liquefy on other special occasions, but according to the cardinals of Naples, Crescenzio Sepe, this is the first time it has ever happened in the presence of a pope. So you're right, he's getting some credit for it. Now, we should add, Fredricka, that even Francis himself was not over-selling the significance of this. He actually kind of cracked a joke about it. Because what he told the audience is look, this blood only partially liquefied today, which means the saint isn't fully happy with us. We're going to have to do better.</s>WHITFIELD: OK. So what's the answer to the skeptics who say that it's really just that the vial was moved around that could cause it to partially liquefy or liquefy period?</s>ALLEN: Listen, there is some basis for that. The vial has been subjected to scientific testing over the years. There's a famous Italian scientist who looked at this and said look, when you have preserved blood, even if it's centuries old, when you jostle it around, it can take on a semi-liquid state without anything miraculous (inaudible). So, obviously, there are some grounds for skepticism there. But, Fredricka, I think this is one of those eyes of faith things, you know, St. Januarius is so near and dear to the hearts of the Neopolitans, the people who live in Naples, he is the one they turn to in times of need. When unemployment shoots through the roof or when a family has lost a child or there's been a civic tragedy, you know, this is the figure that people will turn to, and obviously, they are profoundly convinced this saint has the capacity to work miracles, including this miracle of the liquification of the blood. I'm not sure for them to be honest -- any scientific tests to be performed would mean a heck lot.</s>WHITFIELD: All right. John Allen, thank you. It's so fascinating indeed. All right, we'll be right back.