BONES IN BASILICA REALLY ARE ST PAUL'S; Pope joy as experts reveal test results.

Byline: MICHELLE O'KEEFFE

SCIENTISTS have finally confirmed that bones in a Rome basilica are those of St Paul.

Two thousand years of tradition have claimed the remains of the apostle lie under the main altar of the 4th Century Basilica of St Paul's Outside The Walls.

And now experts have confirmed the legend following carbon-fibre tests.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his homily on Sunday marking the feast day of saints Peter and Paul, said: "We are gathered here at the tomb of the apostle whose sarcophagus was recently subjected to an intensive, scientific analysis.

"A small hole was drilled in the side of the tomb, which has been unopened for centuries, allowing the introduction of an automatic probe, which found traces of a rich purple linen, laminated with gold, as well as a blue fabric of linen threads. Red incense grains and substances containing proteins and limestone were also discovered.

"Tests on the bone fragments indicated they belonged to someone who had lived between the first and second centuries AD. This surely confirms the unanimous and uncontested belief that the mortal remains of the apostle Paul.

"All this fills our soul with deep emotion."

Archaeologists have been working on St Paul's tomb since 2002 and the discoveries were made more than a year ago.

But they were sworn to secrecy so the Pope could make the announcement to coincide with the end of the Pauline year. St Paul is thought to have been beheaded around 60AD at the height of the persecution of early Christians.

Popular belief holds that fragments of his skull are stored at another basilica in Rome's St John Lateran.

It was also announced that a 4th Century fresco in another tomb in the city depicting St Paul was discovered.

CAPTION(S):

HISTORIC Benedict makes announcement SACRED Basilica of St Paul's in Rome HEAVEN SENT Scientists drilled hole in side of tomb under St Paul altar