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Tomb of St. Paul the Apostle Found

From World Net Daily, "Vatican to announce St. Paul's tomb found:
Sarcophagus could contain remains of apostle":

Vatican archeologists are preparing to announced they have positively identified the tomb of St. Paul the apostle.

Giorgio Filippi, a specialist with the Vatican Museums, said a sarcophagus that might still contain the apostle's remains was identified in the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, reported Catholic World News.

The independent Catholic news service said the sarcophagus was discovered during excavations in 2002 and 2003 around the basilica in south Rome.

* * *

The Vatican team found the sarcophagus during a second excavation under the basilica's main altar.

Under the altar, a marble plaque is visible, dating to the 4th century, bearing the inscription "Apostle Paul, martyr."

Surprisingly, said Filippi, "nobody ever thought to look behind that plaque," where the Vatican team found the sarcophagus.

Filippi said the tomb should not be opened merely to satisfy curiosity as to whether Paul's remains still are there.

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