Deliverance from the Cross — Page 67
say that he never intended to let Jesus die on the cross. It is a contention for which this volume provides the most extensive and detailed proof. All the relevant original documents relating to the Shroud were in the hands of Pope Pius XI, and his staff of experts spent many years examining and verifying them. On 6 September 1936, the Pope summed up the result of these examinations in the following pronouncement: - These are the images of the Divine Redeemer. We might say they are the most beautiful, most moving and dearest we can imagine. They derive directly from the object surrounded by mystery which this can safely be said it has now been established is no product of human hands. It is the Holy Shroud at Turin. We say is surrounded by mystery because much remains unexplained about this affair, which is certainly holy as no other is. But this much can be said it is absolutely certain that it is not the work of man. ' it This unequivocal statement by the highest authority of the Roman church acknowledging the authenticity of the Shroud, was published on 7/8 September 1936, in the Osservatore Romano, the official organ of the Vatican. Five Roman Popes have honoured this relic with their 67