KARACHI: The Shroud of Turin, that Catholics believe was the burial cloth of Jesus, will be aired after decades this Saturday before Easter, along with fresh scientific claims that it is an authentic ancient fabric.
Broadcast on the Italian channel Rai, the shroud will be displayed in the Turin Cathedral by the 266th Vatican Pope Francis, formerly known as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who appears to be working hard for his first Easter as pope. Today he guides a Good Friday procession from the Colosseum. On Easter this Sunday he will hold mass in St. Peter’s square which is expected to be attended by thousands.
Even though previous tests suggest that the shroud was forged in the Middle Ages, Giulio Fanti, associate professor of mechanical and thermal measurement at Padua University, declares that the carbon-14 dating used in that research was not reliable enough, and that new tests demonstrate the pall dates between 280BC and 220AD. His conclusions have been published in a book titled “Il Mistero della Sindone” (The Mystery of the Shroud), written together with journalist Saverio Gaeta.
The enigmatic object, carrying the image of a man’s form, has been the subject of some movies such as the Bollywood film "Race 2" starring Saif Ali Khan.
It will soon be open for viewing to anyone interested, through an Android, iPad and other tablets app, which will allow for free scrutiny of the cloth thanks to advanced HD.
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