NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- The public exposition of the Shroud of Turin was concluded on June 14, after more than 2 million pilgrims had seen the fabric, which is widely believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ.

      Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini of Turin presided at the Eucharistic liturgy which closed the public exposition, begun in April. The Shroud will again be available for public veneration from August through October of 2000.

      Among the most notable individuals to visit the public exposition in recent weeks were Pope John Paul, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, and Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro. Vatican Radio reported that a large group of Muslim pilgrims traveled from Turkey for the exposition.