The blood of Naples' patron saint Gennaro liquefied at the city's cathedral on Thursday evening, leading to relief among some superstitious Neapolitans who see it as a good omen. The 'miracle' traditionally occurs on three dates: 19 September (the saint's feast day), 16 December and the first Saturday in May.

On each occasion the faithful gather in the southern Italian city to witness the liquefaction of what is claimed to be a sample of S. Gennaro's blood, kept in a sealed glass ampoule. Three times a year this vial of dried blood is exposed for public veneration, with the "relatives" of S. Gennaro - a group of elderly faithful - chanting litanies and prayers in a tradition dating back to the 19th century.