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Are the tombs and relics of the Apostles authentic?

By Andrew McGilly, Founder of Bold Pilgrim · Updated 2026-10-08

Some are well supported by history and archaeology, others rest on tradition, and the Church speaks of them differently. The tombs of St. Peter beneath St. Peter's Basilica and of St. Paul at St. Paul Outside the Walls have the strongest case: Benedict XVI said in 2009 that carbon-14 tests on bone fragments from Paul's sarcophagus pointed to the first or second century, which "would seem to confirm the unanimous and undisputed tradition." Shrines such as Santiago de Compostela, Ortona, Amalfi, Salerno and Trier are venerated on the strength of long tradition and medieval transfers of relics.

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For St. Peter, Pius XII announced in 1950 that the Apostle's tomb had been found, while adding that the bones recovered could not be proved to be his; Paul VI said in 1968 that he judged the identification of the relics convincing and that research and debate would continue.

Benedict XVI's words about St. Paul were measured, not a declaration. Elsewhere the popes themselves use the language of tradition: Benedict XVI called St. Thomas's mission to India "an ancient tradition" and described the link between St. James the Greater and Spain as a later tradition, and the cathedral of Santiago begins its own account with "The tradition narrates." Several Apostles have more than one shrine. St. Thomas is venerated at Chennai and at Ortona, St. Bartholomew is claimed by Rome and by Benevento, and St. Matthias by Trier and by Padua.

Science can also count against a relic. In 2021 a femur long venerated in Rome as that of St. James the Less was dated to AD 214-340, too late to be his.

The Church counts the veneration of relics among the forms of popular piety (Catechism 1674). The honour is paid to the saint, and through the saint to Christ.

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Sources & further readingBenedict XVI, Homily at First Vespers of Sts. Peter and Paul, closing the Pauline Year, 28 June 2009 Paul VI, General Audience, 26 June 1968 (Italian): the relics of St. Peter Pius XII, Christmas radio message, 23 December 1950 (Italian): the tomb of St. Peter Benedict XVI, General Audience, 27 September 2006: Thomas the Twin Benedict XVI, General Audience, 21 June 2006: James the Greater Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (official): the Cathedral University of Southern Denmark: Scientific investigations of the believed remains of two apostles (2021)Catechism of the Catholic Church 1667-1676: sacramentals and popular piety (1674: relics, sanctuaries, pilgrimages)GCatholic.org: Tombs of the Apostles and Evangelists Finestre sull'Arte: Where all twelve of Christ's apostles are buried Archdiocese of Baltimore / Catholic Review: Writer travels around globe to tombs of apostles

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Are the tombs and relics of the Apostles authentic?

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This question may be part of your discernment