Face of Pope John XXIII preserved

Face preserved Vatican officials have exhumed the body of Pope John XXIII and made an unusual discovery - his face has not changed since his death 37 years ago.

Italian news agencies said the former pontiff, who was beatified last September, was exhumed on January 16 in preparation for him to be moved to a new spot in the Basilica of St Peters.

Officials found his face had not decomposed, Ansa news agency said.

Popes are buried in ceremonial dress and are not embalmed, but John XXIII was treated with the preservative formalin.

It was unusual but not extraordinary that his face had not decomposed, the news agency said.