The archbishop of Naples has stopped pilgrims kissing two vials said to contain the blood of the Italian Saint Januarius because of growing fears over the spread of swine flu.
The decision came only days after a 51-year-old Italian man became Italy's first swine flu fatality.
Each year thousands of Roman Catholic faithful go to special services at Naples Cathedral where the dried blood of the fourth century bishop is said to turn to liquid, though the church does not officially recognise it as a miracle.
"For health reasons, it will not be possible to kiss the relic," a spokesman for the Saint Januarius chapel said, "However it will be possible to touch it with the forehead."
Saint Januarius is one of the most popular Italian saints. Three services a year are held when the vials are displayed. Some people say the blood turns liquid and even increases in mass during the displays.
Faithful believe that if the blood liquifies quickly, Naples will be blessed with good luck and if it changes slowly, the southern city faces a disaster.
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