St Francis Xavier's 472-year-old relic draws 8 million pilgrims in Goa exposition

The body of St. Francis Xavier, a 472-year-old relic, was recently displayed in Goa, attracting nearly 8 million pilgrims. This is double the number of visitors from the last exposition, held a decade ago. The event, organized by the Archdiocese of Goa, allows people of various faiths to seek the saint's blessings. The exposition ended on January 5th and is the 18th since 1752. St. Francis Xavier is both revered and controversial in India, reflecting the complex relationship between religious figures and society.