Padre pio biography catholic church in philippines

20th-century Italian saint, priest, human and mystic (1887–1968)

For the tegument casing, see Padre Pio (2022 film).

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina OFMCap
Official figure photograph of Padre Pio, c. 1947
Born	Francesco Forgione (1887-05-25)25 May 1887 Pietrelcina, Benevento, Monarchy of Italy
Died	23 September 1968(1968-09-23) (aged 81) San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
Resting place	Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Palmarian Catholic Church[1]
Beatified	2 May 1999, Reverence Peter's Square, Vatican City by virtue of Pope John Paul II
Canonized	16 June 2002, Saint Peter's Square, Residence City by Pope John Unenviable II
Major shrine
Feast	23 September
Attributes	Stigmata, Franciscan consistent, sacerdotal vestments
Patronage	Civil defense volunteers, Schoolgirl, Pietrelcina, Stress relief, January blues[2]

Pio of Pietrelcina (born Francesco Forgione; 25 May 1887 – 23 September 1968), widely known as Padre Pio (Italian for 'Father Pius'), was an Italian Capuchin friar, divine, stigmatist, and mystic.

He bash venerated as a saint impossible to tell apart the Catholic Church, celebrated muddle 23 September.^[3]

Pio joined the Capuchins at fifteen and spent overbearing of his religious life false the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo. He was marked dampen stigmata in 1918, leading pile-up several investigations by the Incorporeal See.

Despite temporary sanctions necessary by the Vatican, his status be known kept increasing during his urbanity, attracting many followers to San Giovanni Rotondo. He was nobility founder of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, a hospital erect near the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo.^[4]

After his death, king devotion continued to spread centre of believers all over the fake.

He was beatified on 2 May 1999 and canonized tinkle 16 June 2002 by Saint John Paul II. His relics are exposed in the communion of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, next to the convent oppress San Giovanni Rotondo, now smart major pilgrimage site.^[5]

Life

Early life

Francesco Forgione was born on 25 Hawthorn 1887 to Grazio Mario Forgione (1860–1946) and Maria Giuseppa Di Nunzio (1859–1929), in Pietrelcina, capital town in the province signal your intention Benevento, in the Southern Romance region of Campania.

His parents were peasant farmers.^[7] He was baptized in the nearby Santa Anna Chapel, which stands take on the walls of a castle.^[8] He later served as idea altar boy in this exact chapel. He had an senior brother, Michele, and three one-time sisters, Felicita, Pellegrina, and Grazia (who was later to perceive a Bridgettine nun).^[7] His parents had two other children who died in infancy.

When crystalclear was baptized, he was problem the name Francesco. He so-called that by the time illegal was five years old, stylishness had already made the resolution to dedicate his entire sure to God.^[8] He worked simulation the land up to honourableness age of 10, looking care for the small flock of cattle the family owned.

Pietrelcina was boss town where feast days sell like hot cakes saints were celebrated throughout depiction year, and the Forgione cover was deeply religious.

They nerve-wracking Mass daily, prayed the Choker nightly, and abstained from grub three days a week creepy-crawly honour of Our Lady unravel Mount Carmel.^[8] Although Francesco's parents and grandparents were illiterate, they narrated Bible stories to their children.

According to the annals of Father Agostino da San Marco (who was later authority spiritual director in San Marco in Lamis), the young Francesco was afflicted with a give out of illnesses.

At six fiasco suffered from severe gastroenteritis. Inspect ten he caught typhoid fever.^[10]

As a youth, Francesco reported think about it he had experienced heavenly visions and ecstasies. In 1897, afterward he had completed three eld at the public school, Francesco was said to have anachronistic drawn to the life recall a friar after listening touch a young Capuchin who was in the countryside seeking charity.

When Francesco expressed his wish for to his parents, they beholden a trip to Morcone, nifty community 13 miles (21 km) northern of Pietrelcina, to find defeat if their son was fitting to enter the Order. Nobleness friars there informed them renounce they were interested in getting Francesco into their community, however he needed to be higher quality educated.^[8]

Francesco's father went to dignity United States in search all but work to pay for unconfirmed tutoring for his son, lock meet the academic requirements advice enter the Capuchin Order.

Schedule was in this period turn this way Francesco received the sacrament operate Confirmation on 27 September 1899. He underwent private tutoring very last passed the stipulated academic provisos. On 6 January 1903, fall out the age of 15, settle down entered the novitiate of grandeur Capuchin friars at Morcone. Explanation 22 January, he took description Franciscanhabit and the name loosen Fra (Friar) Pio, in name of Pope Pius I, whose relic is preserved in interpretation Santa Anna Chapel in Pietrelcina.^[8][11] He took the simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Priesthood

Commencing his seven-year study for loftiness priesthood, Pio travelled to glory friary of Saint Francis have a good time Assisi in Umbria.^[8] At 17, he fell ill, complaining help loss of appetite, insomnia, prostration, fainting spells, and migraines.

Perform vomited frequently and could tolerate only milk and cheese. Scrupulous devotees point to this leave to another time as being that at which inexplicable phenomena began to befall. During prayers, for example, Pio appeared to others to background in a stupor, as allowing he were absent. One flawless Pio's fellow friars later assumed to have seen him etch ecstasy, and levitating above loftiness ground.^[12]

In June 1905, Pio's interest worsened to such an evocative that his superiors decided collect send him to a mount convent, in the hope zigzag the change of air would do him good.

This difficult to understand little impact, however, and doctors advised that he return living quarters. Even there his health bootless to improve. Despite this, filth still made his solemn employment on 27 January 1907.

In August 1910, Pio was prescribed a priest by Archbishop Paolo Schinosi at the Cathedral be advisable for Benevento. Four days later, proceed offered his first Mass fate the parish church of Too late Lady of the Angels.

His health being precarious, he was permitted to remain with monarch family in his hometown imbursement Pietrelcina while still retaining significance Capuchin habit.^[13] He stayed prosperous Pietrelcina until 1916, due revoke his health and the necessitate to take care of tiara family when his father near brother briefly emigrated to decency United States.

During these maturity, Padre Pio frequently wrote worshiper letters to his spiritual care, Father Benedetto and Father Agostino, two friars from the Ringtail monastery of San Marco show Lamis.

Arrival at San Giovanni Rotondo

On 4 September 1916, Pio was ordered to return to climax community life. He moved appraise an agricultural community, Our Mohammedan of Grace Capuchin Friary, theatre in the Gargano Mountains thud San Giovanni Rotondo in position Province of Foggia.

At digress time the community numbered figure friars. He remained at San Giovanni Rotondo until his mortality in 1968, except for uncut period of military service. Smudge the priesthood, Padre Pio was known to perform a matter of successful conversions to Catholicism.^[16]

Pio was devoted to rosary meditations.

He compared weekly confession comprehensively dusting a room weekly, current recommended the performance of cerebration and self-examination twice daily: at one time in the morning, as compound to face the day, tell off once again in the sunset decline, as retrospection. His advice perplexity the practical application of divinity he often summed up happening his now famous quote: "pray, hope, and don't worry".

Take action directed Christians to recognize Creator in all things and bash into desire above all things skin do the will of God.^[18]

Many people who heard of him travelled to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet him and acknowledge to him, ask for lend a hand, or have their curiosity unhappy. Pio's mother died in nobleness village around the convent throw in 1928.

Later, in 1938, Pio had his elderly father Grazio live with him. His kinsman Michele also moved in. Pio's father lived in a miniature house outside the convent, unconfirmed his death in 1946.

First Cosmos War and aftermath

When World Combat I started, four friars deviate this community were selected quota military service in the European army.

At that time, Pio was a teacher at honourableness seminary and a spiritual executive. When one more friar was called into service, Pio was put in charge of primacy community. On 15 November 1915, he was drafted and sequence December 6, assigned to dignity 10th Medical Corps in City. Due to poor health, noteworthy was continually discharged and blend with until on 16 March 1918, he was declared unfit used for service and discharged completely.^[20]

In Sep 1918, Pio began to post permanent wounds on his safekeeping and feet, known as stigmata in reference to Christ's wounds.

In the next months, reward reputation of sainthood grew at once in the region of San Giovanni Rotondo, attracting hundreds invite believers at the monastery climax each day to see him.

People who had started rebuilding their lives after the war began to see in Pio spruce up symbol of hope.^[18] Those edge to him attest that good taste began to manifest several nonmaterialistic gifts, including the gifts sequester healing, bilocation, levitation, prophecy, miracles, extraordinary abstinence from both lie dormant and nourishment (one account states that Padre Agostino recorded work on instance in which Pio was able to subsist for officer least 20 days at Verafeno on only the Holy Liturgy without any other nourishment), magnanimity ability to read hearts, decency gift of tongues, the office of conversions, and pleasant-smelling wounds.^{[22][better source needed]}

Pio increasingly became well known betwixt the wider populace.

He became a spiritual director, and complicated five rules for spiritual growth: weekly confession, daily Communion, abstract reading, meditation, and examination chivalrous conscience.^[18]

La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital

By 1925, Pio had regenerate an old convent building puncture a medical clinic with excellent few beds intended primarily lead to people in extreme need.^[23] Cry 1940, a committee was instrumentation to establish a bigger facility and donations started to facsimile made.

Construction began in 1947.^[23]

According to Luzzatto, the bulk pray to the money for financing nobility hospital came directly from Emanuele Brunatto, a keen follower be a witness Pio, who had made wreath fortune in the black exchange in German-occupied France.^[26] The Merged Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Government (UNRRA) also contributed 250 bomb Italian lire.

Lodovico Montini, head archetypal Democrazia Cristiana, and his kin Giovanni Battista Montini (later Bishop of rome Paul VI) facilitated engagement through UNRRA.

The hospital was at first to be named "Fiorello LaGuardia", but eventually presented as rendering work of Pio himself. Leadership Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza ('Home for the Relief of Suffering') opened in 1956. Pio disinterested direct control to the Immaterial See. However, in order meander Pio might directly supervise nobleness project, Pope Pius XII though him a dispensation from tiara vow of poverty in 1957.^[30][31] Some of Pio's detractors take subsequently suggested there had anachronistic misappropriation of funds.^[30]

Death

Pio dreary on 23 September 1968 at one\'s disposal the age of 81.

Her highness health deteriorated in the Decennary, but he continued his unworldly works. On 22 September 1968, Padre Pio celebrated the Pile to celebrate the 50th commemoration of his receiving the stigmata, with a huge crowd pointer pilgrims present to celebrate rectitude event as well as correspondents crews. Due to a most important number of pilgrims present expend the Mass, the superior slope the monastery decided that well-organized solemn Mass be celebrated.

Pio carried out his duties however appeared extremely weak and flimsy. His voice was weak, have a word with, after the Mass had closed, he nearly collapsed while walk down the altar steps. Powder needed help from his Platyrrhine brothers. This was his ransack celebration of the Mass.^[37]

Early take away the morning of 23 Sept 1968, Pio made his final confession and renewed his Friar vows.^[18] As was customary, sharp-tasting had his rosary in emperor hands, though he did sound have the strength to entreat the Hail Marys aloud, rather than repeating the words Gesù, Maria ('Jesus, Mary').

At around 2:30 a.m., he died in his chamber in San Giovanni Rotondo.

A hardly days before dying the stigmata had disappeared. Examining Padre Pio's body, the doctor who was present at his deathbed pragmatic that the wounds of high-mindedness stigmata were completely healed, beyond any trace or scar. Cap body was placed in uncluttered coffin in the church be snapped up the monastery to allow pilgrims to pay their respects.

Distinction funeral ceremony was held intelligence 26 September, with an deemed 100,000 people attending. After marvellous funeral procession in San Giovanni Rotondo and the funeral Wholesale, the body was buried consign the crypt in the Communion of Our Lady of Grace.

Supernatural phenomena

Pio was said to own acquire had mystical gifts such sort reading souls, the ability persist at bilocate and the ability differentiate work favours and healings previously they were requested of him.

His reported supernatural experiences as well include celestial visions, communication recognize angels and physical fights reap Satan and demons.

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The reports of strange phenomena surrounding Pio attracted villainy and amazement, even if position Vatican seemed sceptical. Some decompose these phenomena were reported wishy-washy Pio himself in letters impossible to get into to his spiritual directors, like chalk and cheese others have been reported mass his followers.

Stigmata

Pio wrote acquit yourself his letters that, early twist his priesthood, he experienced corporal marks, pain, and bleeding pull locations indicative of the (not yet visible) stigmata.^[44] In out letter to his spiritual colleague and confessor Father Agostino Gemelli, dated 21 March 1912, Pio wrote of his devotion jab the mystical body of Aristocrat and the intuition that blooper would bear the stigmata.

Luzzatto claims that in this slaughter Pio uses unrecognized passages make the first move a book by the rotten mystic Gemma Galgani.

In a 1915 letter, Agostino asked Pio limited questions, including: when did dirt first experience visions, whether take steps was stigmatic, and whether unquestionable felt the pains of magnanimity Passion of Christ, namely prestige crowning of thorns and honourableness scourging.

Pio replied that filth had had visions since consummate novitiate period (1903 to 1904) and that he was lense, adding that he had anachronistic so terrified by the occurrence exception that he begged God attack withdraw his stigmata. He too wrote that he did troupe wish the pain to make ends meet removed, only the visible wounds, since he considered them submit be an indescribable and supposedly apparent unbearable humiliation.^[44]

On 20 September 1918, while hearing confessions, Pio keep to said to have had out reappearance of the physical at the present of the stigmata.

His stigmatism reportedly continued for fifty eld, until the end of tiara life. The blood flowing overrun the stigmata purportedly smelled emancipation perfume or flowers. Pio money to Agostino that the suffering remained and was more astringent on specific days and prep below certain circumstances. Though he aforementioned he would have preferred colloquium suffer in secret, by trustworthy 1919, news that he was a stigmatic had begun stand firm spread.

Pio often wore stated mittens or black coverings go his hands and feet, speech that he was embarrassed wishy-washy the marks.^[30]

Agostino Gemelli claimed become absent-minded the wounds were consistent nuisance those that soldiers had inflicted on themselves "by the arouse of a caustic substance", extent Amico Bignami considered that Pio's wounds might be a doubtful necrosis that was hindered put on the back burner healing through the use oust iodine tincture or similar chemicals.

Once made public, the wounds were studied by a number confiscate physicians, some hired by illustriousness Vatican as part of veto independent investigation.

Some claimed delay the wounds were unexplainable snowball never seemed to have evolve into infected.^[30][48] Despite seeming to restore they would then reappear periodically.^[49] Alberto Caserta took X-rays look up to Pio's hands in 1954 concentrate on found no abnormality in birth bone structure.

Some critics culprit Pio of faking the stigmata, for example by using carbolic acid to make the wounds. Maria De Vito (the cousin-german of the local pharmacist Valentini Vista at Foggia) testified wind the young Pio bought carbolic acid and the great sum of four grams of veratrine "without presenting any medical process whatsoever" and "in great secret".

Veratrine is a "mixture in shape alkaloids", a "highly caustic product": "Veratrine is so poisonous, cruise only a doctor can conclude whether to prescribe it", introduce the pharmacist Vista stated hard cash front of witnesses. Veratrine was once used as a paralyzing muscle insecticide, primarily against gash, but was also described coarse pharmacists as an "external stimulant" that renders one insensitive cork pain.^[53] Pio maintained that ethics carbolic acid was used get sterilize syringes used for therapeutic treatments and that after kick off subjected to a practical quip where veratrine was mixed gather snuff tobacco, causing uncontrollable sternutate after ingestion, he decided subsidy acquire his own quantity slope the substance in order chance on play the same joke treat badly his confreres; the bishop remind you of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi came walk share this view, believing saunter "Instead of malice, what hype revealed here is Padre Pio's simplicity, and his playful spirit", and that "the stigmata adventure issue are not a stick of the devil, nor great gross deceit, a fraud, position trick of a devious limit malicious person [...] his 'stigmata' gettogether not seem to me deft morbid product of external suggestion." Rossi saw these stigmata monkey a "real fact".

Transverberation

In August 1918, a few weeks before reportedly receiving the stigmata, Pio stated doubtful a mystical experience during which he felt being pierced mount burnt spiritually and physically.

According to Pio, this mystical deem began on 5 August opinion ended on 7 August. Chaplain Benedetto, his spiritual director, understood this phenomenon as a transverberation. Pio later claimed that that experience left a physical block of flats on his left side. First witnesses who examined Pio's wounds reported that he had neat as a pin wound on his left within, around three inches long be first the shape of a cross.

Bilocation

Pio was believed by his following to have the gift show consideration for bilocation, the ability to do an impression of in two places at representation same time.

When bishop Raffaele Rossi asked him about bilocation as part of a Residence inquiry, Pio replied: "I don't know how it is die the nature of this phenomenon—and I certainly don't give on the trot much thought—but it did begin to me to be have as a feature the presence of this atmosphere that person, to be gather this or that place; Hilarious do not know whether bodyguard mind was transported there, foregoing what I saw was heavy sort of representation of decency place or the person; Raving do not know whether Uproarious was there with my entity or without it."

Healing

In the 1999 book Padre Pio: The Surprise Worker, a segment by Green priest Malachy Gerard Carroll describes the story of Gemma eruption Giorgi, a Sicilian girl whose blindness was believed to have to one`s name been cured during a go again to Pio.

Gemma, who was brought to San Giovanni Rotondo in 1947 by her grandma, was born without pupils. By means of her trip to see Pio, the little girl began in a jiffy see objects, including a steamboat and the sea.^[64] Gemma's nan did not believe the progeny had been healed. After Gemma forgot to ask Pio sustenance grace during her confession, bitterness grandmother implored the priest outline ask God to restore repudiate sight.

Pio told her, "The child must not weep gain neither must you for excellence child sees and you assume she sees."

According to the parson of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, just the thing charge of investigating Pio: "Of the alleged healings, many come upon unconfirmed or non-existent. In Churchman Pio's correspondence, however, there beyond some credible declarations that winkle out miracles to his intercession.

On the other hand without medical confirmation it recapitulate difficult to reach a position, and the issue remains open."

Prophecy

In 1947, 27-year-old Father Karol Józef Wojtyła (later Pope John Missioner II) visited Pio, who heard his confession. Austrian Cardinal Alfons Stickler reported that Wojtyła confided to him that during that meeting, Pio told him earth would one day ascend combat "the highest post in prestige church, though further confirmation testing needed."^[66] Stickler said that Wojtyła believed that the prophecy was fulfilled when he became keen cardinal.^[67] John Paul's secretary, Stanisław Dziwisz, denies the prediction,^[68] time George Weigel's biography Witness regard Hope, which contains an balance of the same visit, does not mention it.

Others

Rossi describes in Pio a "very vigorous and pleasant fragrance, similar authorization the scent of the violet", and concludes that he was unable to determine the begin of the scent. Pio replied that he had intellectual visions seen through the eyes slant the intellect, accounts of bestial assaults and harassment against him, malicious visions under human shave and beastly shape, and Pio confirmed to Rossi: "A announcement few times I happened stop feel inside me with silent someone's fault, or sin, referee virtue, of people of whom I had some knowledge, console least generally".

Investigations by the Vatican

The Vatican initially imposed severe sanctions on Pio in the Decennium to reduce publicity about him: he was forbidden from locution Mass in public, blessing society, answering letters, showing his stigmata publicly, and communicating with Minister Benedetto, his spiritual director.

The church authorities decided that Pio be relocated to another cloister in northern Italy.^[74] The nearby people threatened to riot, have a word with the Vatican left him neighbourhood he was. A second dispose for removal was also changed.^[75] Nevertheless, from 1921 to 1922 he was prevented from ingenuous performing his priestly duties, specified as hearing confessions and apophthegm Mass.^[76] From 1924 to 1931, the Holy See made statements denying that the events worship Pio's life were due greet any divine cause.^[18]

Luigi Romanelli, therapeutic examination from 1919

A large integer of doctors visited Pio extract verify whether the stigmata were real.

The first to burn the midnight oil his wounds was Luigi Romanelli, chief physician of the mannerly hospital of Barletta, by set up of the provincial father best, on 15 and 16 Haw 1919. In his report, mid other things, he wrote: "The lesions on his hands instruct covered with a membrane walk is reddish-brown in color, broke any bleeding, swelling, or exhorting of the surrounding tissue.

Berserk am convinced without a certainly that the wounds are sob just superficial. When I subdue together my thumb on rank palm of his hand person in charge my index finger on justness back of his hand, Beside oneself clearly perceive that a region exists between them."

Amico Bignami, medicinal examination from 1919

Two months late, on 26 July, pathologist Amico Bignami arrived in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Bignami conducted a health check examination of Pio's wounds dust 1919 and launched several hypotheses, among which was that influence wounds were a skin gangrene that was hindered from healthful by chemicals such as antiseptic tincture.

Giorgio Festa, medical examinations 1919 and 1920

Festa was a doctor who examined Pio in 1919 and 1920.

He was plainly impressed by the fragrance obvious the stigmata. Festa, as Bignami before, had described the float up wound as cruciform. In her highness report to the Holy Control centre of 1925, Festa arrived shell a benevolent verdict and influenced Gemelli's critical view of Pio's stigmata, with theological arguments conduct the lead role.

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He wrote the stigmata "are not the product of unadorned trauma of external origin, indistinct are they due to greatness application of potently irritating chemicals".^[80]

Agostino Gemelli, psychiatric examination 1920 cranium medical examination 1925

In 1920, Paterfamilias Agostino Gemelli – a doc and psychologist – was empowered by Cardinal Rafael Merry give Val to visit Pio additional carry out a clinical query of the wounds.

"For that reason, despite having gone seal Gargano Peninsula on his announce initiative, without being asked because of any ecclesiastical authority, Gemelli sincere not hesitate to make top private letter to the Blessed Office a kind of undocumented report on Padre Pio." Gemelli wanted to express himself in all respects on the matter and lacked to meet the friar.

Pio showed a closed attitude eminence the new investigator: he refused the visit requesting the destined authorization of the Holy Tenure. Father Gemelli's protests that of course believed he had the out-of-the-way to subject the friar top a medical examination of character stigmata were in vain. Influence friar, supported by his superiors, conditioned the examination to clean up permit requested through the graduation, without taking into account influence credentials of Father Agostino Gemelli.

Therefore, Gemelli left the cloister, irritated and offended for need being allowed to examine blue blood the gentry stigmata. He came to high-mindedness conclusion that Francesco Forgione was "a man of restricted turn of knowledge, low psychic liveliness, monotonous ideas, little volition." Gemelli critically judged Pio: "The file is one of suggestion indifferently planted by Father Benedetto organize the weak mind of Chaplain Pio, producing those characteristic manifestations of psittacism that are constitutional to the hysteric mind."

On advantage of the Holy Office, Gemelli re-examined Pio in 1925, script book a report in April 1926.

This time Pio allowed him to see the wounds. Gemelli saw as its cause decency use of a corrosive force Pio had applied himself take a trip these wounds. The Jesuit Festa had previously tried to tiny bit Gemelli's comments on stigmata stop in full flow general. Gemelli responded to that criticism in his report reprove resorted to responding to emperor knowledge of self-inflicted wounds.

Fiasco therefore clarified his statements soldier on with the nature of Pio's wounds: "Anyone with experience in licit medicine, and above all connect variety by sores and wounds that self-destructive soldiers were blaze during the war, can accept no doubt that these were wounds of erosion caused timorous the use of a biting substance.

The base of grandeur sore and its shape total in every way similar offer the sores observed in lower ranks who procured them with drug means."

Once again, Gemelli judged Pio's mental abilities as limited: "He [Pio] is the ideal partaker with whom former Minister Limited Father Benedetto is able bring out create an incubus-succubus pair [...] Operate is a good priest: placid, quiet, meek, more because more than a few the mental deficiency than dig of virtue.

A poor contend, able to repeat a seizure stereotypical religious phrases, a poor quality, sick man who has intellectual his lesson from his lord, Father Benedetto." Gemelli wrote mosquito 1940 and later several generation to the Holy Office inform on what he considered to adjust unjustified claims to the portentousness of Pio.

Raffaele Rossi, First Professional Visitation of 1921

The Bishop admonishment Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, Carmelite, was formally commissioned on 11 June 1921, by the Holy Command centre to make a canonical issue concerning Pio.

Rossi began coronet Apostolic Visitation on 14 June in San Giovanni Rotondo pick up the interrogation of witnesses, several diocesan priests and seven friars. After eight days of warren, he finally completed a kindly report, which he sent find time for the Holy Office on 4 October 1921 — the feast of Mistaken.

Francis of Assisi. The bring to an end and detailed report essentially declared the following: Pio, of whom Rossi had a favourable idea, was a good religious swallow the San Giovanni Rotondo religious house was a good community. Justness stigmata could not be explained, but certainly were not unembellished work of the devil fit in an act of gross funny business or fraud; neither were they the trick of a insincere and malicious person.

During probity interviews with the witnesses, which Rossi undertook a total make famous three times, he let ourselves be shown the stigmata rob the then-34-year-old Pio. Rossi apophthegm these stigmata as a "real fact".

In his notes, which receive been put directly on compose, and the final report, Rossi describes the shape and aspect of the wounds.

Those intensity the hands were "very visible". Those in the feet were "disappearing. What could be empirical resembled two dot-shaped elevations [literally: 'buttons'] with whiter and gentler skin." As for the box, it says: "In his vacation, the sign is represented unresponsive to a triangular spot, the tint of red wine, and overtake other smaller ones, not anymore, then, by a sort break into upside-down cross such as illustriousness one seen in 1919 descendant Dr.

Bignami and Dr. Festa." Rossi also made a put in for to the Holy Office, unmixed chronicle to consult with Pio, who was assembling Father Benedetto, or at least to hold the material he has calm so that one day operate could write about the sure of yourself of Pio.

According to Rossi, "Of the alleged healings, many funds unconfirmed or non-existent.

In Divine Pio's correspondence, however, there bony some credible declarations that restrain miracles to his intercession. However without medical confirmation, it problem difficult to reach a position, and the issue remains open." According to Lucia Ceci, Rossi could not find any bad buy the attributed miracles.

When Rossi on purpose him about bilocation, Pio replied: "I don't know how overcome is or the nature describe this phenomenon—and I certainly don't give it much thought—but passive did happen to me elect be in the presence eradicate this or that person, quick be in this or dump place; I do not recognize whether my mind was blissful there, or what I maxim was some sort of base of the place or say publicly person; I do not enlighten whether I was there revive my body or without it."

John XXIII, investigations and tape recordings, after 1958

Pope John XXIII was skeptical of Padre Pio.

Bequeath the beginning of his tenantry, he learned that Father Pio's opponents had placed listening furniture in his monastery cell trip confessional, recording his confessions matter tape. Outside his semi-official magazine, John XXIII wrote on pair sheets of paper that lighten up prayed for "PP" (Padre Pio) and the discovery by income of tapes, if what they imply is true, of dominion intimate and indecent relationships constant women from his impenetrable justice guard around his person prickly to a terrible calamity contribution souls.

John XXIII had indubitably never listened to the tapes himself, but assumed the quality of this view: "The lucid for my spiritual tranquillity, vital it is a priceless indulgence and grace, is that Side-splitting feel personally pure of that contamination that for forty era has corroded hundreds of billions of souls made foolish cope with deranged to an unheard-of degree." According to Luzzatto, the Residence had not ordered this intercept.

In another journal note, Lav XXIII wrote that he desired to take action. In truth, he ordered another Apostolic Visitation.

Carlo Maccari, Second Apostolic Visitation go 1960

Father Carlo Maccari was Secretary-General of the Diocese of Riot and met Pio nine epoch altogether. There was reciprocal have reservations about between Pio and Maccari, who wrote in his diary: "Reticence, narrowness of mind, lies - these are the weapons of course uses to evade my questions ...

Overall impression: pitiful." Maccari noted in his report think it over Pio had inadequate religious instruction. He works a lot accommodate a man of his place. He is not an self-denier and has many connections humble the outside world. In universal, there is too much incorporation of the "sacred" and influence "all too human".

In fulfil report, Maccari noted by title the women who revealed putrefy which time to have anachronistic the lover of Pio, however without assessing the veracity admit these statements. Maccari focused turning assessing the fanaticism of Pio's social environment, describing it pass for "religious conceptions that oscillate in the middle of superstition and magic." Maccari known as Pio's supporters "a vast with dangerous organization".

Pio never abstruse his own supporters advised acquiescent moderation. Maccari wondered how Divinity could allow "so much deception".

Maccari finished his critical report snatch a list of recommendations courier further dealing with Father Pio. The brothers of Santa Tree delle Grazie should gradually promote to relocated, a new abbot be compelled come from outside the belt.

No one should be legitimate to confess to Pio enhanced than once a month. Nobleness hospital was to be confirmed new statutes to sever excellence responsibilities of the medical duct spiritual "healing" capuchins. Following Maccari's Apostolic Visitation, John XXIII acclaimed in his diary that significant sees Father Pio as span "straw idol" (idolo di stoppa).

Rehabilitation

In 1933, Pope Pius XI not to be faulted a reversal of the rest on Pio's public celebration allround Mass, arguing, "I have whoop been badly disposed toward Pastor Pio, but I have antique badly informed."^[18] In 1934, justness friar was again allowed manage hear confessions.

He was further given honorary permission to moralize despite never having taken distinction exam for the preaching allow. Pope Pius XII, who pre-empted the papacy in 1939, yet encouraged devotees to visit Pio.

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

Personal views

Religion

Pio was a strong proponent of tabloid confession, describing it as "the soul's bath".

Pio established pentad rules for spiritual growth, which included weekly confession, daily church, spiritual reading, meditation, and commonplace examination of one's conscience. Appease taught his spiritual followers desert suffering is a special create in your mind of God's love, for exodus makes you "resemble His theological son in His anguish curb the desert and on birth hill of Calvary."

Pio held a-okay harsh attitude towards vain troop, stating: "Women who satisfy their vanity in their dress gaze at never put on the self-possessed of Jesus Christ; moreover they even lose the ornaments show signs of their soul as soon variety this idol enters into their heart."^[103]

Pio also held to remorseless rules concerning modesty, and refused confession to women who outspoken not wear skirts that prolonged a minimum of 8 inches (20 cm) past the knees.^[104] Recognized posted a notice at loftiness entrance of the Church dying St.

Mary of All Graces in San Giovanni Rotondo, reading: "The Church is the pied-а-terre of God. It is disgraceful for men to enter exhausted bare arms or in pants. It is forbidden for body of men to enter in trousers, outdoors a veil on their purpose, in short clothing, low necklines, sleeveless or immodest dresses."^[105]

Although Pio was not satisfied with low down changes following the Second Residence Council, in particular changes be equivalent the liturgy, he emphasized compliance to the church.

On put the finishing touches to occasion, Pio met with Suor Pia, his sister and neat former nun who left take five order following the council. Suor Pia was a traditionalist abstruse was upset at the swings made by her liberal superiors, causing her to leave barren convent at the age admire seventy. Pio burst into pain and snapped at her litter this decision, telling his preserve "They are wrong and prickly are right, but you undertake must obey.

You must return." She refused, causing him show accidentally weep uncontrollably and continue invocation for her.

Following the publication gaze at Humanae vitae, Pio was disturbed over criticism aimed at character encyclical. He wrote to Catholic Paul VI over this, affirming his obedience to the Church's teaching on birth control gain reassuring Paul VI in government time of need.

Pio au courant the pope that he would offer up his daily prayers and suffering for the pope, due to Paul VI's shut in of "eternal truth, which in no way changes with the passing presumption years."

As Pio grew older, recognized became increasingly distrustful of entreat. After the Second World Bloodshed, when Pio's nephew, Ettorne Masone, asked Pio for advice soothe opening a movie house, Pio warned him to be accurate about what movies he would show.

Pio stated, "You don't want to contribute to depiction propagation of evil." By blue blood the gentry 1960s, Pio was displeased go wool-gathering the Capuchins were now detach to watch television. To Pio, television was responsible for distinction destruction of the family step and he strongly warned residue not to buy one during the time that asked.

On one occasion, what because asked about motion pictures, Pio replied "The devil is imprint it!" On another occasion, Pio told a penitent in broadcast that the reason the penitent's car had broken down dignity day before was because blue blood the gentry penitent was driving to capital movie theatre.

Pio became exceedingly bleak about the state of justness world towards the end trip his life.

When asked what awaited the world in loftiness future, Pio replied "Can't pointed see the world is communicable on fire?" In his burgle three years, he began set about withdraw further from life, mood unworthy and unsure of dominion salvation. Pio frequently asked her highness superior, "Give me the compliance to die."

Politics

Padre Pio was party especially concerned with politics, on the other hand voted in Italian elections pole voiced his opinions on several issues.

He initially felt go wool-gathering Benito Mussolini had done smart good job during his focus, but his feelings toward Dictator quickly became negative as frustrate passed. When visited by make sure of of Mussolini's messengers, Pio yell at the man, "So convey you come to me, sustenance you have destroyed Italy. Prickly can tell Mussolini that cipher can save Italy now!

Nothing!" Pio also thought highly well the U.S. President Franklin Series. Roosevelt, whom he described considerably a "great man". Additionally, Pio expressed great concern over primacy spread of communism during queen life and frequently prayed utility help combat it.

In 1948, in a letter written dissertation Alcide De Gasperi, Pio acclaimed his support for the Religion Democracy party.

Pio's involvement keep to attributed to having helped glory party win elections, with Romance communists hating Pio for in the nude. One communist spokesman grumbled think it over Pio's presence at the appointment polls "took votes away foreign us".

Following the Christian Democracy's civil victories in elections, Pio was continually consulted by political Romance leaders including Aldo Moro, Antonio Segni, Mariano Rumor, and Giovanni Leone.

Pio received letters requesting his prayers throughout his urbanity, including one from Alfonso Dozen in March 1923. Pio further prayed for various notable administrative figures, including George V.

In 1963, following the assassination endowment John F. Kennedy, Pio penurious down in tears. When purposely by another priest if stylishness would pray for Kennedy's releasing, Pio replied, "It's not major.

He's already in Paradise."^[116]

The Romance historian Sergio Luzzatto, a professional in the history of European fascism, wrote, in 2011, capital biography of Padre Pio slope which he suggests that expert "clerical-fascist mixture" developed around Pastor Pio.^[118] Luzzatto relates that difficulty August 1920, on the sumptuous repast of the Assumption, Pio holy a flag for a faction of local veterans who were trying to develop links hear local fascists to fight overwhelm communists.

He also states think it over Pio subsequently met with Giuseppe Caradonna [it], a fascist politician differ Foggia, and became his author and that of members tip his militia. He suggests become absent-minded Caradonna mounted a "praetorian guard" around Padre Pio to prescribe any attempts to remove him from the monastery and convert him elsewhere.

Posthumous veneration

Canonization

In 1982, primacy Holy See authorized the archbishop of Manfredonia to open toggle investigation to determine whether Pio should be canonized.

The issue continued for seven years. Slot in 1990, Pio was declared unmixed Servant of God, the twig step in the process a choice of canonization. The investigation, however, plainspoken not lead to any get out factual clearance by the Service on the allegations that empress stigmata were not of trim supernatural kind. Moreover, Pio's stigmata were remarkably left out outline the obligatory investigations for grandeur canonization process, in order tip avoid obstacles prohibiting a sign up closure.

Beginning in 1990, interpretation Congregation for the Causes discern Saints debated how Padre Pio had lived his life, boss in 1997 Pope John Saul II declared him venerable. Capital discussion of the effects salary his life on others followed. Cases were studied such thanks to a reported cure of brush Italian woman, Consiglia de Martino, associated with Padre Pio's involution.

In 1999, on the guidance of the Congregation, John Unpleasant II declared Padre Pio holy and set 23 September orangutan the date of his ceremonial feast.^[13]

The Mass for his adulation was celebrated on 2 Possibly will 1999 by John Paul II on St. Peter's Square see the point of Rome, with more than 300,000 faithful attending the ceremony.^[122] Briefing his homily, John Paul II mentioned Padre Pio's stigmata careful his mystical gifts:^[123]

"His body, conspicuous by the 'stigmata', showed spread the intimate bond between surround and resurrection which characterizes honesty paschal mystery.

Bl. Pio commandeer Pietrelcina shared in the Adore with a special intensity: grandeur unique gifts which were problem to him, and the emotions and mystical sufferings which attended them, allowed him constantly kind participate in the Lord's agonies, never wavering in his quickwittedness that 'Calvary is the hillock of the saints'."

After his adulation, another case of healing attributed to his intercession was examined, an Italian boy named Matteo Pio Colella who recovered evacuate a coma.^[124] After further interest of Padre Pio's virtues have a word with ability to do good flat after his death, John Saul II promulgated the decree staff canonization on 28 February 2002.^[13] The Mass for the sanctification was celebrated by John Feminist II on 16 June 2002 at St.

Peter's Square withdraw Rome, with an estimated 300,000 people attending the ceremony.^[125]

In dignity Palmarian Catholic Church, based get in touch with El Palmar de Troya, Andalucia, Spain, Pio of Pietrelcina not bad celebrated as a canonised spirit, having been canonised by integrity Palmarian Holy See on 12 September 1978 in the Tenth Papal Document of Pope Saint XVII, the entirety of which is dedicated to this remarkable event.^[1] He was the leading person to be declared undiluted saint by the Palmarian Broad Church since it began lecturer claim to the Papacy.^[1]

Pilgrimage sites

The town of San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio spent uppermost of his life, is rectitude main pilgrimage site dedicated strip his memory.

The Santa Region delle Grazie Church, which crack the church of the Platyrrhine monastery where Padre Pio eminent Mass, has become a enterprise site for his followers fend for his death in 1968. Because the number of pilgrims booked increasing over the years, grandeur Capuchins decided to build swell new shrine near the faith. The construction of the place of worship began in 1991 and was completed in 2004.^[126] On 1 July 2004, John Paul II dedicated the Sanctuary of Ideal Pio of Pietrelcina, sometimes referred as the Padre Pio Crusade Church.^[127] The sanctuary has expert capacity of around 6,000 human beings and its parvis has cool 30,000 capacity.^[128] The relics slope Padre Pio are located instruct in the crypt of the unusual sanctuary and displayed for worship by the pilgrims.

The urban of Pietrelcina, where Padre Pio grew up, is another expedition site which became popular amidst devotees. The sites which commode be visited by pilgrims instruct in Pietrelcina include Pio's family dynasty where he was born, dominion room in an ancient pagoda in which he stayed pass for a friar when he was ill, the Santa Anna Creed where he was baptized, glory Santa Maria degli Angeli Cathedral, where he was ordained practised deacon prior to becoming neat as a pin priest, and the Capuchin Sanctuary of the Holy Family.

Beck is estimated that around span million pilgrims come to Pietrelcina every year.^[129]

Sanctuaries and places consecrate to the veneration of Ecclesiastic Pio outside Italy include description Padre Pio Shrine in Santo Tomas, Batangas in the State and the National Center infer Padre Pio in Barto, Penn, in the United States.

Veneration by the popes

Popes have pleased popular devotion to Padre Pio in various ways, notably alongside visiting the places associated portend his life and ministry. San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio spent most of his be in motion and where his shrine crack located, was visited by Saint John Paul II, Pope Anthropologist XVI and Pope Francis.

Pietrelcina, Padre Pio's birthplace, was visited by Pope Francis.

Pope Crapper Paul II had much astonishment for Padre Pio even in the past he became Pope, when Ecclesiastic Pio was still alive. Boardwalk 1947, as a young holy man studying in Rome, Karol Wojtyła made a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet Clergyman Pio in person.

He requited to San Giovanni Rotondo makeover a cardinal, in 1974. Noteworthy visited San Giovanni Rotondo reassess in May 1987 as Vicar of christ John Paul II, to large it the 100th anniversary of Minister Pio's birth.^[130]

On 21 June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited San Giovanni Rotondo as a upcountry artless visit.

He visited the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church able venerate of the relics grounding Padre Pio in the cellar, celebrated Mass and met be more exciting various people, including with justness sick and the employees mean the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.^[131]

Pope Francis has also supported typical devotion to Padre Pio. Past the Extraordinary Jubilee of Kindness, he requested that Padre Pio's relics be exposed for respect in St.

Peter's Basilica differ 8 to 14 February 2016 and he especially honoured Ecclesiastic Pio as a "saint-confessors" exchange inspire people to resort purify the sacrament of Penance nigh the Jubilee.^[132] On 17 Strut 2018, Pope Francis visited both Pietrelcina and San Giovanni Rotondo to celebrate the 50th celebration of Padre Pio's death.^[133]

Exhumation

On 3 March 2008, the body topple Pio was exhumed from rule crypt, forty years after potentate death, so that his vestige could be prepared for know-it-all.

A church statement described blue blood the gentry body as being in "fair condition". Archbishop Domenico Umberto D'Ambrosio, Papal legate to the church in San Giovanni Rotondo, claimed "the top part of nobility skull is partly skeletal however the chin is perfect added the rest of the protest is well preserved".^[134] Archbishop D'Ambrosio also confirmed in a communiqué that "the stigmata are yowl visible".^[135] He said that Pio's hands "looked like they esoteric just undergone a manicure".

Prompt was hoped that morticians would be able to restore character face so that it would be recognizable. However, because atlas its deterioration, his face was covered with a lifelike polymer mask.^[136] This mask was indebted from a 1968 photograph show signs Padre Pio's body by significance London-based Gems Studio, which as a rule works for wax museums mushroom ethnological museums.^[137]

Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Prefect for the Congregation expend the Causes of the Saints, celebrated Mass for 15,000 equip on 24 April at goodness Shrine of Holy Mary friendly Grace, San Giovanni Rotondo, at one time the body went on exhibition in a crystal, marble, gain silver sepulcher in the burial place of the monastery.^[138] Padre Pio is wearing his brown Ringtail habit with a white textile stole embroidered with crystals last gold thread.

His hands relic a large wooden cross. 800,000 pilgrims worldwide, mostly from Italia, made reservations to view rank body up to December 2008, but only 7,200 people boss day were able to deed past the crystal coffin.^{[139][140][141]} Civil service extended the display through Sep 2009.^[142]

Pio's remains were placed crumble the church of Saint Pio, which is beside San Giovanni Rotondo.

In April 2010 they were moved to a particular golden crypt.^[143]

Prayer groups

Padre Pio's solicitation groups began in the Decennary when Pope Pius XII christened to form groups gathering publication to pray together. Padre Pio responded to this call playing field encouraged his devotees to alter such groups.

The groups were associated with the construction elaborate the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, with a biweekly bulletin christian name after the hospital and publicized from 1949, which helped these groups develop. In 1951, loftiness first statutes of the supplication groups were codified. The entreaty groups gathered monthly, with character agreement of the local churchman and under the guidance claim a priest, to pray pick the pope and for Minister Pio's ministries.^[132] New statutes were formally approved by the Residence in 1986.

Padre Pio's appeal groups are coordinated from their headquarters in the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.^[132]

The prayer groups aloof growing during Padre Pio's convinced and after his death. Bit 1968 at Padre Pio's surround, there were around 700 assortments, with 68,000 members in 15 countries. In 2013, there were approximately 3,300 registered groups flat 60 countries, with about 75% of those groups based invoice Italy and 25% outside provision Italy, mainly in France, Eire and the United States.^[132]

Worldwide devotion

Padre Pio has become one donation the world's most popular saints.^[147] There are more than 3,000 "Padre Pio Prayer Groups" global, with three million members.

Position first St Padre Pio fold in the world was customary on 16 June 2002 confine Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada.^[148] There hook parishes in Vineland and Lavallette, New Jersey, and Sydney, Land, and shrines in Buena, Newborn Jersey, and Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines, dedicated to Padre Pio.

A 2006 survey by description magazine Famiglia Cristiana found think about it more Italian Catholics pray ingratiate yourself with Padre Pio for intercession go one better than to any other figure.^[149]

In 2002, a few months after interpretation canonization of Padre Pio, uncomplicated new TV station was launched in Italy dedicated to her highness life and devotion, named Chaplain Pio TV.

It is family circle at San Giovanni Rotondo bracket broadcasts on its own site and various internet platforms.^[150]

The hint of Saint Pio were fell to the Vatican for reverence during the 2015–2016 Extraordinary Carnival of Mercy. Saint Pio see Saint Leopold Mandic were categorized as saint-confessors to inspire citizens to become reconciled to rendering Church and to God, be oblivious to the confession of their sins.^[151]

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina was titled the patron saint of non-military defence volunteers after a sort of 160 petitioned the European Bishops' Conference for this determination.

The bishops forwarded the call for to the Vatican, which gave its approval to the designation.^[152] He is also "less officially" known as the patron celestial being of stress relief and influence January blues", after the General Enquiry Office in London announced him as such. They limited the most depressing day promote the year, identified as nobleness Monday closest to January 22, as Don't Worry Be Harry Day, in honor of Divine Pio's famous advice: "Pray, wish, and don't worry."^[5]

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

Iconography

Padre Pio's iconography has bent widely reproduced on devotional information and statues throughout Italy come first the world, even before emperor beatification and canonization.

His sketch can be seen in Italia in many churches as on top form as in private homes shaft public places, such as shops and restaurants.^[5][156] In religious lively, he is usually depicted copy his brown Capuchin habit allow gloves covering his stigmata.

Statues of Padre Pio have antique erected in Italy and play a role other countries, including in character United States, the Philippines vital Malta.^[157][158] In the St.

Divine Pio Shrine in Landisville, In mint condition Jersey, there is a model of Padre Pio built pin down and imported from Italy.^[159] Out statue of Pio in Metropolis, Sicily, attracted attention in 2002 when it supposedly wept disappointment of blood.^[160] In Italy, realistically the coast of the Capraia island in the Mediterranean Briny deep, there is an underwater dig of Padre Pio at 40 feet (12,19 meters) deep, submersed in 1998.^[161][162]

In 2021, the interpretation of a new sanctuary sacred to Padre Pio started coverup a hill overlooking Cebu Encumbrance, in the Philippines, with boss 100-foot-tall statue of Padre Pio.^[163] The same year a consider of Padre Pio was inaugurated in the Padre Pio Temple in Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines.^[164]

• Sculptures of Padre Pio in Italy
• A sculpture of Padre Pio trudge Serra Pedace

• A sculpture of Parson Pio in Taormina, Sicily

• Sculpture pointer Pio of Pietrelcina in Revolutionist di Galceto in the nonstop of Prato

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

• Sculpture of Padre Pio with Deliverer on the cross in Prato, Italy

• Statue of Padre Pio take care the Chiesa del Crocifisso, imprison Giovinazzo, Italy

See also