Invaluable Relic of Pope John Paul II Stolen from Chapel in the Region of Abruzzo
Thieves broke into the church of San Pietro della lenca in the Abruzzo region breaking the protective iron bars and forcing their way in through a window. They left the collection box but took a crucifix and invaluable relic which contains a piece of gauze once soaked in the blood of the late Pope John Paul II.
The church of San Pietro della lenca, a small chapel in an isolated area of the Abruzzo region, was a special place of significance to the late Pope. He used to visit the area often to withdraw from the pressures of life at the Vatican. Before he died, Pope John Paul II, told his secretary that he wanted this church to become a sanctuary. The relic which had been placed in the church is one of only three such relics in the world. The relic was discovered by police in a trash can a few days afterwards.Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25911872