Short biography saint pio pietrelcina pronounce

20th-century Italian saint, priest, stigmatist bear mystic (1887–1968)

For the film, see Cleric Pio (2022 film).

Pio of Pietrelcina (born Francesco Forgione; 25 May 1887 – 23 September 1968), widely publicize as Padre Pio (Italian for 'Father Pius'), was an Italian Capuchin religious, priest, stigmatist, and mystic. He appreciation venerated as a saint in loftiness Catholic Church, celebrated on 23 September.^[3]

Pio joined the Capuchins at fifteen deed spent most of his religious existence in the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo. He was marked by stigmata in 1918, leading to several investigations by the Holy See. Despite provisional sanctions imposed by the Vatican, coronate reputation kept increasing during his brusque, attracting many followers to San Giovanni Rotondo. He was the founder endorse the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, a-one hospital built near the convent tip off San Giovanni Rotondo.^[4]

After his death, climax devotion continued to spread among believers all over the world. He was beatified on 2 May 1999 stomach canonized on 16 June 2002 emergency Pope John Paul II. His relics are exposed in the sanctuary oust Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, next manuscript the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo, now a major pilgrimage site.^[5]

Life

Early life

Francesco Forgione was born on 25 Could 1887 to Grazio Mario Forgione (1860–1946) and Maria Giuseppa Di Nunzio (1859–1929), in Pietrelcina, a town in ethics province of Benevento, in the Rebel Italian region of Campania. His parents were peasant farmers.^[7] He was known as in the nearby Santa Anna Protection, which stands upon the walls attack a castle.^[8] He later served laugh an altar boy in this aforesaid chapel. He had an older kinsman, Michele, and three younger sisters, Felicita, Pellegrina, and Grazia (who was ulterior to become a Bridgettine nun).^[7] Wreath parents had two other children who died in infancy. When he was baptized, he was given the nickname Francesco. He stated that by honesty time he was five years inhibit, he had already made the preference to dedicate his entire life make haste God.^[8] He worked on the unexciting up to the age of 10, looking after the small flock funding sheep the family owned.

Pietrelcina was unadulterated town where feast days of saints were celebrated throughout the year, soar the Forgione family was deeply scrupulous. They attended Mass daily, prayed honourableness Rosary nightly, and abstained from food three days a week in connect with of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.^[8] Although Francesco's parents and grandparents were illiterate, they narrated Bible stories be familiar with their children.

According to the engagement book of Father Agostino da San Marco (who was later his spiritual vice-president in San Marco in Lamis), interpretation young Francesco was afflicted with copperplate number of illnesses. At six explicit suffered from severe gastroenteritis. At wan he caught typhoid fever.^[10]

As a young womanhood, Francesco reported that he had immature heavenly visions and ecstasies. In 1897, after he had completed three length of existence at the public school, Francesco was said to have been drawn go down with the life of a friar make sure of listening to a young Capuchin who was in the countryside seeking fund. When Francesco expressed his desire fulfil his parents, they made a submission to Morcone, a community 13 miles (21 km) north of Pietrelcina, to strike out if their son was suited to enter the Order. The friars there informed them that they were interested in accepting Francesco into their community, but he needed to credit to better educated.^[8]

Francesco's father went to loftiness United States in search of effort to pay for private tutoring sue for his son, to meet the canonical requirements to enter the Capuchin Fasten. It was in this period consider it Francesco received the sacrament of Proof on 27 September 1899. He underwent private tutoring and passed the stipulated academic requirements. On 6 January 1903, at the age of 15, blooper entered the novitiate of the Platyrrhine friars at Morcone. On 22 Jan, he took the Franciscanhabit and ethics name of Fra (Friar) Pio, hillock honour of Pope Pius I, whose relic is preserved in the Santa Anna Chapel in Pietrelcina.^[8][11] He took the simple vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience.

Priesthood

Commencing his seven-year study answer the priesthood, Pio travelled to influence friary of Saint Francis of Assisi in Umbria.^[8] At 17, he strike down ill, complaining of loss of inclination, insomnia, exhaustion, fainting spells, and migraines. He vomited frequently and could compendium only milk and cheese. Religious group point to this time as body that at which inexplicable phenomena began to occur. During prayers, for illustrate, Pio appeared to others to examine in a stupor, as if unwind were absent. One of Pio's match friars later claimed to have offbeat him in ecstasy, and levitating affect the ground.^[12]

In June 1905, Pio's welfare worsened to such an extent guarantee his superiors decided to send him to a mountain convent, in glory hope that the change of spoil would do him good. This confidential little impact, however, and doctors irresponsible that he return home. Even nearby his health failed to improve. Neglect this, he still made his serious profession on 27 January 1907.

In August 1910, Pio was ordained wonderful priest by Archbishop Paolo Schinosi surprise victory the Cathedral of Benevento. Four years later, he offered his first Pile at the parish church of Interaction Lady of the Angels.

His infection being precarious, he was permitted shut remain with his family in emperor hometown of Pietrelcina while still keep the Capuchin habit.^[13] He stayed weighty Pietrelcina until 1916, due to sovereign health and the need to clasp care of his family when her majesty father and brother briefly emigrated sort out the United States. During these discretion, Padre Pio frequently wrote mystic dialogue to his spiritual directors, Father Benedetto and Father Agostino, two friars hit upon the Capuchin monastery of San Marco in Lamis.

Arrival at San Giovanni Rotondo

On 4 September 1916, Pio was methodical to return to his community sure. He moved to an agricultural citizens, Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Priory, located in the Gargano Mountains sediment San Giovanni Rotondo in the Land of Foggia. At that time decency community numbered seven friars. He remained at San Giovanni Rotondo until consummate death in 1968, except for natty period of military service. In representation priesthood, Padre Pio was known concord perform a number of successful conversions to Catholicism.^[16]

Pio was devoted to beads meditations. He compared weekly confession comprise dusting a room weekly, and not obligatory the performance of meditation and self-contemplation twice daily: once in the crack of dawn, as preparation to face the existing, and once again in the eve, as retrospection. His advice on honesty practical application of theology he frequently summed up in his now popular quote: "pray, hope, and don't worry". He directed Christians to recognize Genius in all things and to want above all things to do rectitude will of God.^[18]

Many people who heard of him travelled to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet him and admit to him, ask for help, hero worship have their curiosity satisfied. Pio's keep somebody from talking died in the village around interpretation convent in 1928. Later, in 1938, Pio had his elderly father Grazio live with him. His brother Michele also moved in. Pio's father flybynight in a little house outside leadership convent, until his death in 1946.

First World War and aftermath

When World Warfare I started, four friars from that community were selected for military function in the Italian army. At ditch time, Pio was a teacher chimpanzee the seminary and a spiritual vicepresident. When one more friar was callinged into service, Pio was put take charge of the community. On 15 November 1915, he was drafted bracket on December 6, assigned to rendering 10th Medical Corps in Naples. Freedom to poor health, he was constantly discharged and recalled until on 16 March 1918, he was declared apractic for service and discharged completely.^[20]

In Sept 1918, Pio began to display irreversible wounds on his hands and bounds, known as stigmata in reference make contact with Christ's wounds. In the next months, his reputation of sainthood grew in a hurry in the region of San Giovanni Rotondo, attracting hundreds of believers dear the monastery coming each day pin down see him.

People who had started service their lives after the war began to see in Pio a representation of hope.^[18] Those close to him attest that he began to obvious several spiritual gifts, including the genius of healing, bilocation, levitation, prophecy, miracles, extraordinary abstinence from both sleep meticulous nourishment (one account states that Churchman Agostino recorded one instance in which Pio was able to subsist home in on at least 20 days at Verafeno on only the Holy Eucharist pass up any other nourishment), the ability assortment read hearts, the gift of tongues, the gift of conversions, and pleasant-smelling wounds.^{[22][better source needed]}

Pio increasingly became well known amidst the wider populace. He became shipshape and bristol fashion spiritual director, and developed five register for spiritual growth: weekly confession, normal Communion, spiritual reading, meditation, and issue of conscience.^[18]

La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital

By 1925, Pio had converted trivial old convent building into a medicine roborant clinic with a few beds discretionary primarily for people in extreme need.^[23] In 1940, a committee was covenant to establish a bigger clinic become calm donations started to be made. Interpretation began in 1947.^[23]

According to Luzzatto, distinction bulk of the money for aegis the hospital came directly from Emanuele Brunatto, a keen follower of Pio, who had made his fortune instructions the black market in German-occupied France.^[26] The United Nations Relief and Refurbishing Administration (UNRRA) also contributed 250 packet Italian lire.

Lodovico Montini, head of Democrazia Cristiana, and his brother Giovanni Battista Montini (later Pope Paul VI) facilitated engagement by UNRRA. The hospital was initially to be named "Fiorello LaGuardia", but eventually presented as the labour of Pio himself. The Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza ('Home for the Alleviate of Suffering') opened in 1956. Pio handed direct control to the Consecrated See. However, in order that Pio might directly supervise the project, Saint Pius XII granted him a consent from his vow of poverty boring 1957.^[30][31] Some of Pio's detractors receive subsequently suggested there had been plagiarism of funds.^[30]

Death

Pio died on 23 September 1968 smack of the age of 81. His good deteriorated in the 1960s, but elegance continued his spiritual works. On 22 September 1968, Padre Pio celebrated decency Mass to celebrate the 50th tribute of his receiving the stigmata, discover a huge crowd of pilgrims bake to celebrate the event as spasm as television crews. Due to deft large number of pilgrims present rationalize the Mass, the superior of significance monastery decided that a solemn Broad be celebrated. Pio carried out jurisdiction duties but appeared extremely weak essential frail. His voice was weak, title, after the Mass had concluded, stylishness nearly collapsed while walking down goodness altar steps. He needed help put on the back burner his Capuchin brothers. This was crown last celebration of the Mass.^[37]

Early ton the morning of 23 September 1968, Pio made his last confession prep added to renewed his Franciscan vows.^[18] As was customary, he had his rosary manifestation his hands, though he did battle-cry have the strength to pray say publicly Hail Marys aloud, instead repeating high-mindedness words Gesù, Maria ('Jesus, Mary'). Popular around 2:30 a.m., he died in queen cell in San Giovanni Rotondo.

A hardly any days before dying the stigmata locked away disappeared. Examining Padre Pio's body, righteousness doctor who was present at rule deathbed observed that the wounds goods the stigmata were completely healed, bankrupt any trace or scar. His reason was placed in a coffin occupy the church of the monastery disclose allow pilgrims to pay their compliments. The funeral ceremony was held heap on 26 September, with an estimated 100,000 people attending. After a funeral cavalcade in San Giovanni Rotondo and blue blood the gentry funeral Mass, the body was coffined in the crypt in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace.

Supernatural phenomena

Pio was said to have had symbolical gifts such as reading souls, distinction ability to bilocate and the indecorousness to work favours and healings hitherto they were requested of him. Enthrone reported supernatural experiences also include paradisaic visions, communication with angels and secular fights with Satan and demons. Prestige reports of supernatural phenomena surrounding Pio attracted fame and amazement, even supposing the Vatican seemed sceptical. Some shambles these phenomena were reported by Pio himself in letters written to cap spiritual directors, while others have antiquated reported by his followers.

Stigmata

Pio wrote in his letters that, early upgrade his priesthood, he experienced bodily symbols, pain, and bleeding in locations in character of the (not yet visible) stigmata.^[44] In a letter to his inexperienced companion and confessor Father Agostino Gemelli, dated 21 March 1912, Pio wrote of his devotion to the arcane body of Christ and the fancy that he would bear the stigmata. Luzzatto claims that in this slay Pio uses unrecognized passages from practised book by the stigmatized mystic Gemma Galgani.

In a 1915 letter, Agostino by choice Pio specific questions, including: when upfront he first experience visions, whether smartness was stigmatic, and whether he mat the pains of the Passion fortify Christ, namely the crowning of thorns and the scourging. Pio replied give it some thought he had had visions since circlet novitiate period (1903 to 1904) leading that he was stigmatic, adding go he had been so terrified overtake the phenomenon that he begged Deity to withdraw his stigmata. He further wrote that he did not want the pain to be removed, nonpareil the visible wounds, since he deemed them to be an indescribable near almost unbearable humiliation.^[44]

On 20 September 1918, while hearing confessions, Pio is put into words to have had a reappearance disruption the physical occurrence of the stigmata. His stigmatism reportedly continued for bill years, until the end of emperor life. The blood flowing from integrity stigmata purportedly smelled of perfume association flowers. Pio conveyed to Agostino go off the pain remained and was supplementary acute on specific days and below certain circumstances. Though he said put your feet up would have preferred to suffer fell secret, by early 1919, news dump he was a stigmatic had under way to spread. Pio often wore slow to catch on mittens or black coverings on jurisdiction hands and feet, saying that subside was embarrassed by the marks.^[30]

Agostino Gemelli claimed that the wounds were inflexible with those that soldiers had inflicted on themselves "by the use care a caustic substance", while Amico Bignami considered that Pio's wounds might adjust a skin necrosis that was stuck from healing through the use representative iodine tincture or similar chemicals.

Once undemanding public, the wounds were studied stomachturning a number of physicians, some leased by the Vatican as part catch sight of an independent investigation. Some claimed delay the wounds were unexplainable and not ever seemed to have become infected.^[30][48] Disdain seeming to heal they would thence reappear periodically.^[49] Alberto Caserta took X-rays of Pio's hands in 1954 don found no abnormality in the take structure. Some critics accused Pio faultless faking the stigmata, for example saturate using carbolic acid to make birth wounds. Maria De Vito (the cousingerman of the local pharmacist Valentini Scope at Foggia) testified that the juvenile Pio bought carbolic acid and illustriousness great quantity of four grams marvel at veratrine "without presenting any medical direction whatsoever" and "in great secret". Veratrine is a "mixture of alkaloids", out "highly caustic product": "Veratrine is tolerable poisonous, that only a doctor glare at decide whether to prescribe it", pass for the pharmacist Vista stated in head start of witnesses. Veratrine was once hand-me-down as a paralyzing muscle insecticide, fundamentally against lice, but was also affirmed by pharmacists as an "external stimulant" that renders one insensitive to pain.^[53] Pio maintained that the carbolic cruel was used to sterilize syringes sedentary for medical treatments and that pinpoint being subjected to a practical wordplay where veratrine was mixed with snuffle tobacco, causing uncontrollable sneezing after intake, he decided to acquire his placate quantity of the substance in give instructions to play the same joke persist in his confreres; the bishop of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi came to share that view, believing that "Instead of venom, what is revealed here is Divine Pio's simplicity, and his playful spirit", and that "the stigmata at query are not a work of loftiness devil, nor a gross deceit, dinky fraud, the trick of a subreptitious and malicious person [...] his 'stigmata' bustle not seem to me a pessimistic product of external suggestion." Rossi apophthegm these stigmata as a "real fact".

Transverberation

In August 1918, a few weeks beforehand reportedly receiving the stigmata, Pio stated doubtful a mystical experience during which be active felt being pierced and burnt spiritually and physically. According to Pio, that mystical experience began on 5 Reverenced and ended on 7 August. Clergyman Benedetto, his spiritual director, interpreted that phenomenon as a transverberation. Pio following claimed that this experience left unornamented physical wound on his left shell. Most witnesses who examined Pio's wounds reported that he had a shock defeat on his left side, around join inches long and the shape short vacation a cross.

Bilocation

Pio was believed by jurisdiction followers to have the gift characteristic bilocation, the ability to be recovered two places at the same relating to. When bishop Raffaele Rossi asked him about bilocation as part of dialect trig Vatican inquiry, Pio replied: "I don't know how it is or ethics nature of this phenomenon—and I beyond a shadow of dou don't give it much thought—but house did happen to me to suit in the presence of this unimportant that person, to be in that or that place; I do weep know whether my mind was thrilled there, or what I saw was some sort of representation of picture place or the person; I carry on not know whether I was encircling with my body or without it."

Healing

In the 1999 book Padre Pio: Nobleness Wonder Worker, a segment by Gaelic priest Malachy Gerard Carroll describes ethics story of Gemma de Giorgi, smart Sicilian girl whose blindness was deemed to have been cured during span visit to Pio. Gemma, who was brought to San Giovanni Rotondo give it some thought 1947 by her grandmother, was domestic without pupils. During her trip accomplish see Pio, the little girl began to see objects, including a steamboat and the sea.^[64] Gemma's grandmother exact not believe the child had anachronistic healed. After Gemma forgot to spin out Pio for grace during her announcement, her grandmother implored the priest don ask God to restore her ken. Pio told her, "The child should not weep and neither must paying attention for the child sees and boss around know she sees."

According to the priest of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, in duty of investigating Pio: "Of the purported healings, many are unconfirmed or imaginary. In Padre Pio's correspondence, however, take are some credible declarations that plump for miracles to his intercession. But poverty-stricken medical confirmation it is difficult give a lift reach a conclusion, and the query remains open."

Prophecy

In 1947, 27-year-old Father Karol Józef Wojtyła (later Pope John Undesirable II) visited Pio, who heard rulership confession. Austrian Cardinal Alfons Stickler widespread that Wojtyła confided to him stray during this meeting, Pio told him he would one day ascend lambast "the highest post in the faith, though further confirmation is needed."^[66] Classicist said that Wojtyła believed that rectitude prophecy was fulfilled when he became a cardinal.^[67] John Paul's secretary, Stanisław Dziwisz, denies the prediction,^[68] while Martyr Weigel's biography Witness to Hope, which contains an account of the equal visit, does not mention it.

Others

Rossi describes in Pio a "very fierce and pleasant fragrance, similar to justness scent of the violet", and concludes that he was unable to decide upon the origin of the scent. Pio replied that he had intellectual visions seen through the eyes of interpretation intellect, accounts of diabolical assaults weather harassment against him, malicious visions junior to human shape and beastly shape, playing field Pio confirmed to Rossi: "A development few times I happened to experience inside me with clarity someone's wrongdoing, or sin, or virtue, of group of whom I had some participation, at least generally".

Investigations by the Vatican

The Vatican initially imposed severe sanctions turning over Pio in the 1920s to engage publicity about him: he was proscribed from saying Mass in public, prayer people, answering letters, showing his stigmata publicly, and communicating with Padre Benedetto, his spiritual director.

The church directorate decided that Pio be relocated message another convent in northern Italy.^[74] Grandeur local people threatened to riot, queue the Vatican left him where explicit was. A second plan for elimination was also changed.^[75] Nevertheless, from 1921 to 1922 he was prevented unapproachable publicly performing his priestly duties, specified as hearing confessions and saying Mass.^[76] From 1924 to 1931, the Nonmaterial See made statements denying that blue blood the gentry events in Pio's life were put an end to to any divine cause.^[18]

Luigi Romanelli, therapeutic examination from 1919

A large number souk doctors visited Pio to verify no the stigmata were real. The good cheer to study his wounds was Luigi Romanelli, chief physician of the secular hospital of Barletta, by order many the provincial father superior, on 15 and 16 May 1919. In coronate report, among other things, he wrote: "The lesions on his hands be cautious about covered with a membrane that task reddish-brown in color, without any raw, swelling, or inflammation of the adjacent tissue. I am convinced without straighten up doubt that the wounds are remote just superficial. When I press accommodate my thumb on the palm magnetize his hand and my index shot on the back of his ascendancy, I clearly perceive that a vacuity exists between them."

Amico Bignami, medical scrutiny from 1919

Two months later, on 26 July, pathologist Amico Bignami arrived girder San Giovanni Rotondo. Bignami conducted cool medical examination of Pio's wounds imprisoned 1919 and launched several hypotheses, amidst which was that the wounds were a skin necrosis that was engaged from healing by chemicals such considerably iodine tincture.

Giorgio Festa, medical examinations 1919 and 1920

Festa was a physician who examined Pio in 1919 and 1920. He was obviously impressed by interpretation fragrance of the stigmata. Festa, chimpanzee Bignami before, had described the emergency wound as cruciform. In his reminder to the Holy Office of 1925, Festa arrived at a benevolent result and attacked Gemelli's critical view appreciated Pio's stigmata, with theological arguments exhibition the lead role. He wrote grandeur stigmata "are not the product glimpse a trauma of external origin, unheard of are they due to the employment of potently irritating chemicals".^[80]

Agostino Gemelli, insane examination 1920 and medical examination 1925

In 1920, Father Agostino Gemelli – a- physician and psychologist – was authorised by Cardinal Rafael Merry del Miracle to visit Pio and carry crack a clinical examination of the wounds. "For this reason, despite having absent to Gargano Peninsula on his enhance initiative, without being asked by rustic ecclesiastical authority, Gemelli did not delay to make his private letter communication the Holy Office a kind mislay unofficial report on Padre Pio." Gemelli wanted to express himself fully intrude on the matter and wanted to fuse the friar. Pio showed a blocked attitude towards the new investigator: why not? refused the visit requesting the foreordained authorization of the Holy Office. Divine Gemelli's protests that he believed sand had the right to subject ethics friar to a medical examination extent the stigmata were in vain. Excellence friar, supported by his superiors, biased the examination to a permit when requested through the hierarchy, without taking affected account the credentials of Father Agostino Gemelli. Therefore, Gemelli left the nunnery, irritated and offended for not give allowed to examine the stigmata. Perform came to the conclusion that Francesco Forgione was "a man of reserved field of knowledge, low psychic ability, monotonous ideas, little volition." Gemelli sharply judged Pio: "The case is sharpen of suggestion unconsciously planted by Sire Benedetto in the weak mind understanding Padre Pio, producing those characteristic manifestations of psittacism that are intrinsic come near the hysteric mind."

On behalf of representation Holy Office, Gemelli re-examined Pio boring 1925, writing a report in Apr 1926. This time Pio allowed him to see the wounds. Gemelli old saying as its cause the use do in advance a corrosive substance Pio had purposeful himself to these wounds. The Religious Festa had previously tried to absorbed Gemelli's comments on stigmata in universal. Gemelli responded to this criticism remove his report and resorted to responding to his knowledge of self-inflicted wounds. He therefore clarified his statements message the nature of Pio's wounds: "Anyone with experience in forensic medicine, standing above all in variety by sores and wounds that self-destructive soldiers were presented during the war, can be endowed with no doubt that these were wounds of erosion caused by the imprison of a caustic substance. The bottom of the sore and its ablebodied are in every way similar get closer the sores observed in soldiers who procured them with chemical means."

Once regulate, Gemelli judged Pio's mental abilities thanks to limited: "He [Pio] is the beauty partner with whom former Minister Local Father Benedetto is able to fabricate an incubus-succubus pair [...] He is skilful good priest: calm, quiet, meek, writer because of the mental deficiency outstrip out of virtue. A poor category, able to repeat a few handy religious phrases, a poor, sick mortal who has learned his lesson escaping his master, Father Benedetto." Gemelli wrote in 1940 and later several previous to the Holy Office on what he considered to be unjustified claims to the sanctity of Pio.

Raffaele Rossi, First Apostolic Visitation of 1921

The Pastor of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, Carmelite, was formally commissioned on 11 June 1921, by the Holy Office to bring off a canonical inquiry concerning Pio. Rossi began his Apostolic Visitation on 14 June in San Giovanni Rotondo take up again the interrogation of witnesses, two diocesan priests and seven friars. After trade days of investigation, he finally ready a benevolent report, which he warp to the Holy Office on 4 October 1921 — the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The extensive and absolute report essentially stated the following: Pio, of whom Rossi had a bright and breezy impression, was a good religious tolerate the San Giovanni Rotondo convent was a good community. The stigmata could not be explained, but certainly were not a work of the predator or an act of gross funny business or fraud; neither were they leadership trick of a devious and deficient person. During the interviews with interpretation witnesses, which Rossi undertook a full of three times, he let herself be shown the stigmata of picture then-34-year-old Pio. Rossi saw these stigmata as a "real fact".

In his log, which have been put directly state paper, and the final report, Rossi describes the shape and appearance long-awaited the wounds. Those in the get your skates on were "very visible". Those in say publicly feet were "disappearing. What could note down observed resembled two dot-shaped elevations [literally: 'buttons'] with whiter and gentler skin." As for the chest, it says: "In his side, the sign stick to represented by a triangular spot, loftiness colour of red wine, and soak other smaller ones, not anymore, redouble, by a sort of upside-down blend such as the one seen instruction 1919 by Dr. Bignami and Dr. Festa." Rossi also made a beseech to the Holy Office, a follow to consult with Pio, who was assembling Father Benedetto, or at slightest to have the material he has collected so that one day fair enough could write about the life supplementary Pio.

According to Rossi, "Of the supposed healings, many are unconfirmed or false. In Padre Pio's correspondence, however, relative to are some credible declarations that property miracles to his intercession. But lacking in medical confirmation, it is difficult end up reach a conclusion, and the vessel remains open." According to Lucia Ceci, Rossi could not find any commemorate the attributed miracles.

When Rossi asked him about bilocation, Pio replied: "I don't know how it is or integrity nature of this phenomenon—and I undoubtedly don't give it much thought—but nonoperational did happen to me to capability in the presence of this moral that person, to be in that or that place; I do band know whether my mind was overjoyed there, or what I saw was some sort of representation of justness place or the person; I application not know whether I was presentday with my body or without it."

John XXIII, investigations and tape recordings, end 1958

Pope John XXIII was skeptical celebrate Padre Pio. At the beginning faux his tenure, he learned that Holy man Pio's opponents had placed listening apparatus in his monastery cell and confessional, recording his confessions with tape. Elsewhere his semi-official journal, John XXIII wrote on four sheets of paper think about it he prayed for "PP" (Padre Pio) and the discovery by means promote to tapes, if what they imply survey true, of his intimate and indelicate relationships with women from his turgid praetorian guard around his person spiky to a terrible calamity of souls. John XXIII had probably never listened to the tapes himself, but expropriated the correctness of this view: "The reason for my spiritual tranquillity, captain it is a priceless privilege give orders to grace, is that I feel myself pure of this contamination that crave forty years has corroded hundreds spectacle thousands of souls made foolish become more intense deranged to an unheard-of degree." According to Luzzatto, the Vatican had keen ordered this wiretap. In another periodical note, John XXIII wrote that noteworthy wanted to take action. In accomplishment, he ordered another Apostolic Visitation.

Carlo Maccari, Second Apostolic Visitation of 1960

Father Carlo Maccari was Secretary-General of the See of Rome and met Pio club times altogether. There was reciprocal be between Pio and Maccari, who wrote in his diary: "Reticence, narrowness slope mind, lies - these are character weapons he uses to evade straighten questions ... Overall impression: pitiful." Maccari noted in his report that Pio had inadequate religious education. He frown a lot for a man worldly his age. He is not aura ascetic and has many connections taint the outside world. In general, close by is too much mixing of greatness "sacred" and the "all too human". In his report, Maccari noted beside name the women who revealed fall back which time to have been magnanimity lover of Pio, but without assessing the veracity of these statements. Maccari focused on assessing the fanaticism do admin Pio's social environment, describing it by the same token "religious conceptions that oscillate between false notion and magic." Maccari called Pio's free "a vast and dangerous organization". Pio never had his own supporters irresponsible to moderation. Maccari wondered how Divinity could allow "so much deception".

Maccari refine his critical report with a record of recommendations for further dealing lift Father Pio. The brothers of Santa Maria delle Grazie should gradually mistrust relocated, a new abbot should regularly from outside the region. No sole should be allowed to confess figure up Pio more than once a moon. The hospital was to be landdwelling new statutes to sever the responsibilities of the medical and spiritual "healing" capuchins. Following Maccari's Apostolic Visitation, Gents XXIII noted in his diary ditch he sees Father Pio as out "straw idol" (idolo di stoppa).

Rehabilitation

In 1933, Pope Pius XI ordered a undoing of the ban on Pio's high society celebration of Mass, arguing, "I own acquire not been badly disposed toward Churchman Pio, but I have been harshly informed."^[18] In 1934, the friar was again allowed to hear confessions. Agreed was also given honorary permission all over preach despite never having taken authority exam for the preaching license. Vicar of christ Pius XII, who assumed the government in 1939, even encouraged devotees watch over visit Pio.

Finally, in the mid-1960s Pope Paul VI (pope from 1963 to 1978) dismissed all accusations aspect Padre Pio.^{[30][75][100]}

Personal views

Religion

Pio was a tangy proponent of weekly confession, describing gathering as "the soul's bath". Pio personal five rules for spiritual growth, which included weekly confession, daily communion, unworldly reading, meditation, and frequent examination trip one's conscience. He taught his inexperienced followers that suffering is a unproductive sign of God's love, for subway makes you "resemble His divine as one in His anguish in the benefit and on the hill of Calvary."

Pio held a harsh attitude towards boastful women, stating: "Women who satisfy their vanity in their dress can not at all put on the life of Deliverer Christ; moreover they even lose justness ornaments of their soul as before long as this idol enters into their heart."^[103]

Pio also held to strict enlist concerning modesty, and refused confession undertake women who did not wear skirts that extended a minimum of 8 inches (20 cm) past the knees.^[104] Recognized posted a notice at the right of entry of the Church of St. Conventional of All Graces in San Giovanni Rotondo, reading: "The Church is nobleness house of God. It is proscribed for men to enter with stark naked arms or in shorts. It go over the main points forbidden for women to enter spitting image trousers, without a veil on their head, in short clothing, low necklines, sleeveless or immodest dresses."^[105]

Although Pio was not satisfied with some changes followers the Second Vatican Council, in rigorous changes with the liturgy, he stressed obedience to the church. On work on occasion, Pio met with Suor Herb, his sister and a former cleric who left her order following decency council. Suor Pia was a purist and was upset at the fluctuate made by her liberal superiors, effort her to leave her convent at the same height the age of seventy. Pio race into tears and snapped at put your feet up over this decision, telling his wet-nurse "They are wrong and you tv show right, but you still must break into. You must return." She refused, effort him to weep uncontrollably and put off praying for her.

Following the publication pills Humanae vitae, Pio was distraught on the button criticism aimed at the encyclical. Let go wrote to Pope Paul VI refrigerate this, affirming his obedience to influence Church's teaching on birth control tolerate reassuring Paul VI in his relating to of need. Pio informed the bishop of rome that he would offer up crown daily prayers and suffering for rank pontiff, due to Paul VI's nark of "eternal truth, which never vary with the passing of years."

As Pio grew older, he became increasingly guarded of television. After the Second Existence War, when Pio's nephew, Ettorne Masone, asked Pio for advice on rent a movie house, Pio warned him to be careful about what cinema he would show. Pio stated, "You don't want to contribute to character propagation of evil." By the Decennary, Pio was displeased that the Capuchins were now permitted to watch upon. To Pio, television was responsible suggest the destruction of the family sentience and he strongly warned others battle-cry to buy one when asked. Giving out one occasion, when asked about movement pictures, Pio replied "The devil disintegration in it!" On another occasion, Pio told a penitent in confession turn this way the reason the penitent's car esoteric broken down the day before was because the penitent was driving with regard to a movie theatre.

Pio became exceedingly despairing about the state of the faux towards the end of his step. When asked what awaited the field in the future, Pio replied "Can't you see the world is attractive on fire?" In his last threesome years, he began to withdraw other from life, feeling unworthy and uncertain of his salvation. Pio frequently of one\'s own free will his superior, "Give me the compliance to die."

Politics

Padre Pio was not extraordinarily concerned with politics, but voted bring in Italian elections and voiced his opinions on various issues. He initially mat that Benito Mussolini had done adroit good job during his rule, however his feelings toward Mussolini quickly became negative as time passed. When visited by one of Mussolini's messengers, Pio yelled at the man, "So straightaway you come to me, after tell what to do have destroyed Italy. You can hint at Mussolini that nothing can save Italia now! Nothing!" Pio also thought decidedly of the U.S. President Franklin Round. Roosevelt, whom he described as shipshape and bristol fashion "great man". Additionally, Pio expressed undistinguished concern over the spread of state socialism during his life and frequently prayed to help combat it.

In 1948, in a letter written to Alcide De Gasperi, Pio noted his clients for the Christian Democracy party. Pio's involvement is attributed to having helped the party win elections, with Romance communists hating Pio for it. Suggestion communist spokesman grumbled that Pio's aspect at the voting polls "took votes away from us".

Following the Christian Democracy's political victories in elections, Pio was continually consulted by political Italian best including Aldo Moro, Antonio Segni, Mariano Rumor, and Giovanni Leone. Pio established letters requesting his prayers throughout coronate life, including one from Alfonso Eleven in March 1923. Pio also prayed for various notable political figures, containing George V.

In 1963, following grandeur assassination of John F. Kennedy, Pio broke down in tears. When on one\'s own initiative by another priest if he would pray for Kennedy's salvation, Pio replied, "It's not necessary. He's already pen Paradise."^[116]

The Italian historian Sergio Luzzatto, well-organized specialist in the history of Romance fascism, wrote, in 2011, a chronicle of Padre Pio in which settle down suggests that a "clerical-fascist mixture" refine around Padre Pio.^[118] Luzzatto relates drift in August 1920, on the lavish dinner of the Assumption, Pio blessed practised flag for a group of neighbourhood veterans who were trying to upgrade links with local fascists to clash against communists. He also states digress Pio subsequently met with Giuseppe Caradonna [it], a fascist politician from Foggia, most important became his confessor and that short vacation members of his militia. He suggests that Caradonna mounted a "praetorian guard" around Padre Pio to prevent extensive attempts to remove him from nobility monastery and transfer him elsewhere.

Posthumous veneration

Canonization

In 1982, the Holy See authorized blue blood the gentry archbishop of Manfredonia to open peter out investigation to determine whether Pio sine qua non be canonized. The investigation continued shield seven years. In 1990, Pio was declared a Servant of God, excellence first step in the process give an account of canonization. The investigation, however, did categorize lead to any public factual sack by the Church on the allegations that his stigmata were not aristocratic a supernatural kind. Moreover, Pio's stigmata were remarkably left out of say publicly obligatory investigations for the canonization instance, in order to avoid obstacles suppressive esp of pri a successful closure.

Beginning in 1990, the Congregation for the Causes give a miss Saints debated how Padre Pio confidential lived his life, and in 1997 Pope John Paul II declared him venerable. A discussion of the chattels of his life on others followed. Cases were studied such as spruce reported cure of an Italian chick, Consiglia de Martino, associated with Minister Pio's intercession. In 1999, on illustriousness advice of the Congregation, John Saul II declared Padre Pio blessed have a word with set 23 September as the season of his liturgical feast.^[13]

The Mass unpolluted his beatification was celebrated on 2 May 1999 by John Paul II on St. Peter's Square in Riot, with more than 300,000 faithful presence the ceremony.^[122] In his homily, Can Paul II mentioned Padre Pio's stigmata and his mystical gifts:^[123]

"His body, telling by the 'stigmata', showed forth birth intimate bond between death and comeback which characterizes the paschal mystery. Bl. Pio of Pietrelcina shared in decency Passion with a special intensity: birth unique gifts which were given contact him, and the interior and arcane sufferings which accompanied them, allowed him constantly to participate in the Lord's agonies, never wavering in his mother wit that 'Calvary is the hill succeed the saints'."

After his beatification, another document of healing attributed to his request was examined, an Italian boy first name Matteo Pio Colella who recovered deviate a coma.^[124] After further consideration unconscious Padre Pio's virtues and ability think a lot of do good even after his fixate, John Paul II promulgated the canon of canonization on 28 February 2002.^[13] The Mass for the canonization was celebrated by John Paul II alter 16 June 2002 at St. Peter's Square in Rome, with an ostensible 300,000 people attending the ceremony.^[125]

In description Palmarian Catholic Church, based in See Palmar de Troya, Andalusia, Spain, Pio of Pietrelcina is celebrated as uncluttered canonised saint, having been canonised vulgar the Palmarian Holy See on 12 September 1978 in the Tenth Pontifical Document of Pope Gregory XVII, integrity entirety of which is dedicated be acquainted with this singular event.^[1] He was leadership first person to be declared precise saint by the Palmarian Catholic Service since it began its claim highlight the Papacy.^[1]

Pilgrimage sites

The town of San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio debilitated most of his life, is goodness main pilgrimage site dedicated to consummate memory. The Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, which is the church lecture the Capuchin monastery where Padre Pio celebrated Mass, has become a exploration site for his followers after emperor death in 1968. As the release of pilgrims kept increasing over justness years, the Capuchins decided to produce a new shrine near the faith. The construction of the shrine began in 1991 and was completed ready money 2004.^[126] On 1 July 2004, Toilet Paul II dedicated the Sanctuary nucleus Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, sometimes referred as the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church.^[127] The sanctuary has a capacity have fun around 6,000 people and its parvis has a 30,000 capacity.^[128] The relics of Padre Pio are located budget the crypt of the new church and displayed for veneration by class pilgrims.

The town of Pietrelcina, circle Padre Pio grew up, is all over the place pilgrimage site which became popular mid devotees. The sites which can have reservations about visited by pilgrims in Pietrelcina prolong Pio's family house where he was born, his room in an out of date tower in which he stayed pass for a friar when he was catch the fancy of, the Santa Anna Church where subside was baptized, the Santa Maria degli Angeli Church, where he was constrained a deacon prior to becoming unornamented priest, and the Capuchin Church grapple the Holy Family. It is considered that around two million pilgrims recur to Pietrelcina every year.^[129]

Sanctuaries and chairs dedicated to the veneration of Minister Pio outside Italy include the Chaplain Pio Shrine in Santo Tomas, Batangas in the Philippines and the Public Center for Padre Pio in Barto, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

Veneration by the popes

Popes have encouraged wellliked devotion to Padre Pio in diverse ways, notably by visiting the room associated with his life and council. San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio spent most of his life gleam where his shrine is located, was visited by Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. Pietrelcina, Padre Pio's birthplace, was visited by Pope Francis.

Pope John Feminist II had much admiration for Divine Pio even before he became Vicar of christ, when Padre Pio was still animate. In 1947, as a young cleric studying in Rome, Karol Wojtyła imposture a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet Padre Pio in adult. He returned to San Giovanni Rotondo as a cardinal, in 1974. Unquestionable visited San Giovanni Rotondo again send out May 1987 as Pope John Unenviable II, to celebrate the 100th ceremony of Padre Pio's birth.^[130]

On 21 June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited San Giovanni Rotondo as a pastoral go to see. He visited the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church to venerate of rendering relics of Padre Pio in loftiness crypt, celebrated Mass and met get the gist various people, including with the in poor health and the employees of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.^[131]

Pope Francis has very supported popular devotion to Padre Pio. During the Extraordinary Jubilee of Compassion, he requested that Padre Pio's relics be exposed for veneration in As the crow flies. Peter's Basilica from 8 to 14 February 2016 and he especially respected Padre Pio as a "saint-confessors" be inspire people to resort to dignity sacrament of Penance during the Jubilee.^[132] On 17 March 2018, Pope Francis visited both Pietrelcina and San Giovanni Rotondo to celebrate the 50th ceremony of Padre Pio's death.^[133]

Exhumation

On 3 Walk 2008, the body of Pio was exhumed from his crypt, forty life after his death, so that top remains could be prepared for blow your own trumpet. A church statement described the entity as being in "fair condition". Archbishop Domenico Umberto D'Ambrosio, Papal legate jab the shrine in San Giovanni Rotondo, stated "the top part of blue blood the gentry skull is partly skeletal but depiction chin is perfect and the interrelated of the body is well preserved".^[134] Archbishop D'Ambrosio also confirmed in precise communiqué that "the stigmata are whine visible".^[135] He said that Pio's work force "looked like they had just undergone a manicure". It was hoped lose one\'s train of thought morticians would be able to hand back the face so that it would be recognizable. However, because of corruption deterioration, his face was covered farm a lifelike silicone mask.^[136] This guise was made from a 1968 picture of Padre Pio's body by position London-based Gems Studio, which usually crease for wax museums and ethnological museums.^[137]

Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Prefect for grandeur Congregation for the Causes of magnanimity Saints, celebrated Mass for 15,000 circle on 24 April at the Sanctuary of Holy Mary of Grace, San Giovanni Rotondo, before the body went on display in a crystal, carve, and silver sepulcher in the undercroft depository of the monastery.^[138] Padre Pio deterioration wearing his brown Capuchin habit sound out a white silk stole embroidered comprise crystals and gold thread. His not dangerous hold a large wooden cross. 800,000 pilgrims worldwide, mostly from Italy, complete reservations to view the body fixation to December 2008, but only 7,200 people a day were able preempt file past the crystal coffin.^{[139][140][141]} Officialdom extended the display through September 2009.^[142]

Pio's remains were placed in the creed of Saint Pio, which is close to San Giovanni Rotondo. In April 2010 they were moved to a mediocre golden crypt.^[143]

Prayer groups

Padre Pio's prayer aggregations began in the 1950s when Holy father Pius XII called to form assemblys gathering monthly to pray together. Divine Pio responded to this call topmost encouraged his devotees to form specified groups. The groups were associated come to get the construction of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, with a biweekly communiqu‚ named after the hospital and publicized from 1949, which helped these associations develop. In 1951, the first statutes of the prayer groups were statute. The prayer groups gathered monthly, do better than the agreement of the local minister and under the guidance of out priest, to pray for the pontiff and for Padre Pio's ministries.^[132] Newfound statutes were formally approved by nobleness Vatican in 1986. Padre Pio's plea groups are coordinated from their ignoble in the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.^[132]

The prayer groups kept growing during Chaplain Pio's life and after his contract killing. In 1968 at Padre Pio's get, there were around 700 groups, gather 68,000 members in 15 countries. Bask in 2013, there were approximately 3,300 list groups in 60 countries, with volume 75% of those groups based advise Italy and 25% outside of Italia, mainly in France, Ireland and decency United States.^[132]

Worldwide devotion

Padre Pio has answer one of the world's most favoured saints.^[147] There are more than 3,000 "Padre Pio Prayer Groups" worldwide, observe three million members. The first Fanatical Padre Pio parish in the artificial was established on 16 June 2002 in Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada.^[148] There peal parishes in Vineland and Lavallette, Pristine Jersey, and Sydney, Australia, and shrines in Buena, New Jersey, and Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines, dedicated to Clergyman Pio. A 2006 survey by ethics magazine Famiglia Cristiana found that enhanced Italian Catholics pray to Padre Pio for intercession than to any distress figure.^[149]

In 2002, a few months aft the canonization of Padre Pio, efficient new TV station was launched acquire Italy dedicated to his life distinguished devotion, named Padre Pio TV. Leave behind is based at San Giovanni Rotondo and broadcasts on its own site and various internet platforms.^[150]

The remains be worthwhile for Saint Pio were brought to interpretation Vatican for veneration during the 2015–2016 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Saint Pio and Saint Leopold Mandic were limited in number as saint-confessors to inspire people pin down become reconciled to the Church at an earlier time to God, by the confession heed their sins.^[151]

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina was named the patron saint of cultured defence volunteers after a group spick and span 160 petitioned the Italian Bishops' Colloquium for this designation. The bishops forwarded the request to the Vatican, which gave its approval to the designation.^[152] He is also "less officially" minor as the patron saint of worn out relief and the January blues", associate the Catholic Enquiry Office in Writer proclaimed him as such. They limited the most depressing day of ethics year, identified as the Monday consequent to January 22, as Don't Affliction Be Happy Day, in honor be advantageous to Padre Pio's famous advice: "Pray, hope for, and don't worry."^[5]

Some of Padre Pio's relics toured Northern Ireland in 2022^[153] and Scotland in 2023.^[154][155]

Iconography

Padre Pio's iconography has been widely reproduced on divine items and statues throughout Italy increase in intensity the world, even before his veneration and canonization. His portrait can replica seen in Italy in many churches as well as in private housing and public places, such as shops and restaurants.^[5][156] In religious art, yes is usually depicted in his warm Capuchin habit with gloves covering enthrone stigmata.

Statues of Padre Pio imitate been erected in Italy and pop in other countries, including in the Combined States, the Philippines and Malta.^[157][158] Be glad about the St. Padre Pio Shrine bargain Landisville, New Jersey, there is unadorned statue of Padre Pio built do and imported from Italy.^[159] A celebrity of Pio in Messina, Sicily, interested attention in 2002 when it at a guess wept tears of blood.^[160] In Italia, near the coast of the Capraia island in the Mediterranean Sea, here is an underwater statue of Chaplain Pio at 40 feet (12,19 meters) deep, submerged in 1998.^[161][162]

In 2021, excellence construction of a new sanctuary determined to Padre Pio started on undiluted hill overlooking Cebu City, in righteousness Philippines, with a 100-foot-tall statue prop up Padre Pio.^[163] The same year clean up statue of Padre Pio was inaugurated in the Padre Pio Shrine connect Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines.^[164]

• Sculptures of Divine Pio in Italy
• A sculpture of Chaplain Pio in Serra Pedace

• A sculpture wear out Padre Pio in Taormina, Sicily

• Sculpture deserve Pio of Pietrelcina in Villa di Galceto in the province of Prato

• Statue of Padre Pio near Colonna dell'Immacolata, Palermo, Sicily

• Sculpture of Padre Pio obey Jesus on the cross in Prato, Italy

• Statue of Padre Pio at blue blood the gentry Chiesa del Crocifisso, in Giovinazzo, Italy

See also