A Scientist’s Perspective on the Intertwining of Science, Faith, Free Will, and the Message of the Shroud of Turin

Paolo Di Lazzaro; Daniele Murra

doi:10.12775/SetF.2026.007

Authors

Paolo Di Lazzaro CISS, The International Centre for the Study of the Shroud, Turin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1823-1133
Daniele Murra ENEA Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0536-8579

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/SetF.2026.007

Keywords

Shroud of Turin, scientific method, image analysis, photochemistry, radiocarbon dating, science and religion

Abstract

The 5-square-meter flax fabric known as the Shroud of Turin is one of the most sacred religious icons on Earth, and one of the most debated subjects in science. Here we summarize and translate into simple terms the state of the art of scientific studies on the Shroud of Turin with regard to the body imprint and the age of the Shroud fabric. Based on the available results, we discuss whether science can determine if the imprint on the Shroud was left by the historical Jesus. Then, we argue the intriguing possibility that the Shroud is a peculiar example of how the rules and constraints of the scientific method can corroborate the concept of faith and free will, and discuss the reasons why the Shroud's message cannot be limited to the issue of authenticity.

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A Scientist’s Perspective on the Intertwining of Science, Faith, Free Will, and the Message of the Shroud of Turin

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