In the heart of Rome lies a fascinating tale of rediscovery, one that spans centuries and centers around a precious relic—the left foot of St. Mary Magdalene.

Lost to memory for countless years, the bone fragments of this revered figure were finally found in the year 2000, resting inside a silver foot-shaped reliquary.

The relic now finds its home in the Basilica of St. John the Baptist of the Florentines, a beautiful church located just across the river from the Vatican.

Interestingly, the story behind this relic links it to various places in France, believed to be the final resting place of Mary Magdalene. According to legend, her remains were transferred from Byzantium to France as a gift from the king of Jerusalem to the king of France in the ninth century.

During the journey, bone fragments from her foot were gifted to the pope and placed for veneration in a chapel near the Sant'Angelo Bridge in Rome.

This bridge, which once served as the fastest route for pilgrims to reach the old St. Peter's Basilica, held great significance for those on a spiritual journey. For these devout pilgrims, the foot of Mary Magdalene, known as "the apostle to the apostles," became a symbolic last relic to visit before arriving at St. Peter's tomb.

The silver reliquary holding the precious bone fragments is attributed to the renowned artist Benvenuto Cellini and dates back to the 16th century, adding to the relic's historical and artistic value.

However, the story of the relic's whereabouts became obscure until the beginning of the new millennium when it was unexpectedly rediscovered. In 2001, the relic found its way into a small museum of sacred art within the parish of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist of the Florentines.

Years later, on May 24, 2012, a significant event marked the transfer of the relic from the museum to a special niche on the left side of the church nave. Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, the basilica's titular cardinal at the time, led the solemn enthronement of the relic in its new place of veneration.

The occasion was commemorated with vespers and the opening of a welcome point for pilgrims following the medieval Via Francigena pilgrimage route.

Though the museum linked to the basilica is temporarily closed, the church remains open to both locals and visitors, inviting them to pray, worship, admire its exquisite artworks, and venerate the sacred relic of St. Mary Magdalene's foot.