” “” “SIR – 21/01/2008 Interviewed by journalists on a possible "recognition" of remains of St. Paul, Cardinal Cordero Lanza answered them: "The sarcophagus of St Paul has never been opened for twenty centuries. The scholars absolutely agree that it is the sarcophagus of St Paul: thinking about carrying out a recognition is natural". However, this project pointed out the cardinal immediately afterwards "is very complicated, first of all, because there is a wall which has been shutting it since the fourth century". Therefore, "it is necessary to dismantle the wall on which the canopy of Arnolfo di Cambio leans, which should thus be also dismantled. For the Pauline Year, the Holy Father decided that nothing will be done; then, we shall see". As for the hypothesis of a pilgrimage by the Pope, following in Paul’s footsteps, Cordero said: "Maybe the Pope is thinking of making a pilgrimage following in Paul’s footsteps. However, there has been nothing official until now". Will the patriarch of Moscow be invited? "With Cardinal Kasper, we are preparing a letter of invitation for all the most important exponents of Christian communities answered the cardinal, – asking them to be present in some way". The Pauline Year "is actually arousing much interest in the world, among Christian and non-Christian communities", which are going to be sent "to the opening ceremony in accordance with the times and places in the calendar of their celebrations, either by themselves of together with us".” “
