Shroud of Turin

The Shroud of Turin is a linen cloth believed by some to have covered the body of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion. Some believe the relic has the imprint of Christ's body on it; a clearer image of the bearded man with wounds on his hands appeared in a photographer's negative developed in 1898.Times Online: Knights Templar hid the Shroud of Turin, says Vatican (April 6, 2009)

In April 2009, The Vatican announced that the Shroud of Turin was hidden by the Knights Templar for more than 100 years after the Crusades.Times Online: Knights Templar hid the Shroud of Turin, says Vatican (April 6, 2009)

Pope Benedict announced on Monday, June 2, 2008, that he will put the Shroud of Turin on public display in 2010.

The cloth bears the image of a bearded man, which is most easily seen in a black and white photographic negative. While a venerated object to some Christians, the authenticity of the shroud is still debated in scientific circles. In 1988, the shroud was declared a Medieval era hoax following a series of radiocarbon dating tests. The theory was challenged because the sample taken was from a mended piece of the cloth that was damaged in a fire in the Middle Age.Times Online: Knights Templar hid the Shroud of Turin, says Vatican (April 6, 2009)