On May 24, 1998, Pope Saint John Paul II made an address during his pastoral visit to the Cathedral of Turin, Italy. During this address, the late Pope encouraged Catholics to increase devotion to the Shroud of Turin.
Pope Saint John Paul II said,
“The Shroud does not hold people's hearts to itself, but turns them to him, at whose service the Father's loving providence has put it. Therefore, it is right to foster an awareness of the precious value of this image, which everyone sees, and no one at present can explain.
“For every thoughtful person, it is a reason for deep reflection, which can even involve one's life. The Shroud is thus a truly unique sign that points to Jesus, the true Word of the Father, and invites us to pattern our lives on the life of the One who gave himself for us.”
Throughout the season of Lent, the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., is responding to Saint John Paul II’s invitation with a special exhibit dedicated to the Shroud of Turin.
The title of the exhibit is “Lord, You Could Not Love Me More: Saint John Paul II and the Shroud of Turin,” and will take place from February 18, 2026 (Ash Wednesday) to April 5, 2026 (Easter Sunday).
According to the Shrine, the exhibit “helps pilgrims encounter the mystery of the Shroud of Turin.”
It will feature history, scientific research, a replica of the Shroud, a life-size, three-dimensional sculpture of the Man of the Shroud, prayer resources, and 40 descriptive and visual gallery panels.
Here is a photo of "The Sign," a 3D sculpture on display at the Shroud of Turin exhibit:
Here is a photo of the Shroud of Turin replica, also on display at the exhibit:
This exhibit is also a call to more deeply contemplate the Lenten season.
Saint John Paul II also said during his 1998 visit to Turin, Italy,
“Contemplation of that tortured Body helps contemporary man to free himself from the superficiality of the selfishness with which he frequently treats love and sin. Echoing the Word of God and centuries of Christian consciousness, the Shroud whispers: believe in God's love, the greatest treasure given to humanity, and flee from sin, the greatest misfortune in history.”