I just got back from a week away from the desk. So I’m guessing that most of you have already seen the big story about the possible discovery of St. Paul’s remains. “I have no doubt that this is the tomb of St Paul, as revered by Christians in the fourth century,” archeologist Giorgio Filippi told the London Telegraph. Thanks to those of you, TG first of all, who pointed me to the International Herald Tribune coverage.

Vatican archaeologists have unearthed a sarcophagus believed to contain the remains of the Apostle Paul that had been buried beneath Rome’s second largest basilica.

The sarcophagus, which dates back to at least 390 A.D., has been the subject of an extended excavation that began in 2002 and was completed last month, the project’s head said this week.

“Our objective was to bring the remains of the tomb back to light for devotional reasons, so that it could be venerated and be visible,” said Giorgio Filippi, the Vatican archaeologist who headed the project at St. Paul Outside the Walls basilica.

The interior of the sarcophagus has not yet been explored, but Filippi didn’t rule out the possibility of doing so in the future.

Two ancient churches that once stood at the site of the current basilica were successively built over the spot where tradition said the saint had been buried. The second church, built by the Roman emperor Theodosius in the fourth century, left the tomb visible, first above ground and later in a crypt.

Since our May 2007 pilgrimage to Rome is sponsored by the St. Paul Center, we will (of course!) begin our tour at the tomb of St. Paul. Please consider joining us.

Gashwin Gomes provides some lovely photos of the world’s most a-Pauling site.