New test dates Shroud of Turin to era of Christ
Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY 3:34 p.m. EDT March 30, 2013 Although the Vatican makes no claim on the shroud's authenticity as a relic, Pope Francis introduced a special TV appearance of the burial cloth on Holy Saturday. The Shroud of Turin, shown in 1979, is a 14-foot linen revered by some as the burial cloth of Jesus. The Pope provided the introduction for a TV appearance of the cloth on Holy Saturday. New research claims that the cloth does in fact date from the era of Christ, disputing other tests dating it to the Middle Ages. (Photo: Barrie M. Schwortz, AP) Story Highlights Expert says fibers used in tests dating it to Middle Ages were contaminated Vatican reveres the cloth but stops short of declaring it a relic A new app allows smartphone users to examine the cloth in detail SHARE CONNECT 260 TWEET COMMENT EMAIL MORE New scientific tests on the Shroud of Turin, which went on display Saturday in a special TV appear...