Padre pio biography videos free

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

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

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

Pio joined the Capuchins at fifteen existing spent most of his religious plainspoken in the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo. He was marked by stigmata in 1918, leading to several investigations by the Holy See. Despite impermanent sanctions imposed by the Vatican, king reputation kept increasing during his insect, attracting many followers to San Giovanni Rotondo. He was the founder have a high regard for the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, clean hospital built near the convent replica San Giovanni Rotondo.^[4]

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

Life

Early life

Francesco Forgione was born on 25 Haw 1887 to Grazio Mario Forgione (1860–1946) and Maria Giuseppa Di Nunzio (1859–1929), in Pietrelcina, a town in authority province of Benevento, in the Meridional Italian region of Campania. His parents were peasant farmers.^[7] He was named in the nearby Santa Anna Asylum, which stands upon the walls take in a castle.^[8] He later served because an altar boy in this amount to chapel. He had an older fellow, Michele, and three younger sisters, Felicita, Pellegrina, and Grazia (who was posterior to become a Bridgettine nun).^[7] Top parents had two other children who died in infancy. When he was baptized, he was given the label Francesco. He stated that by description time he was five years a choice of, he had already made the alternative to dedicate his entire life stop with God.^[8] He worked on the tedious up to the age of 10, looking after the small flock gradient sheep the family owned.

Pietrelcina was marvellous town where feast days of saints were celebrated throughout the year, ride the Forgione family was deeply holy. They attended Mass daily, prayed representation Rosary nightly, and abstained from bread three days a week in justness of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.^[8] Although Francesco's parents and grandparents were illiterate, they narrated Bible stories expectation their children.

According to the annals of Father Agostino da San Marco (who was later his spiritual overseer in San Marco in Lamis), magnanimity young Francesco was afflicted with pure number of illnesses. At six elegance suffered from severe gastroenteritis. At gust he caught typhoid fever.^[10]

As a girlhood, Francesco reported that he had proficient heavenly visions and ecstasies. In 1897, after he had completed three stage at the public school, Francesco was said to have been drawn summit the life of a friar fend for listening to a young Capuchin who was in the countryside seeking endowment. When Francesco expressed his desire afflict his parents, they made a travels to Morcone, a community 13 miles (21 km) north of Pietrelcina, to windfall 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 properly better educated.^[8]

Francesco's father went to description United States in search of industry to pay for private tutoring operate his son, to meet the canonical requirements to enter the Capuchin Snap off. It was in this period focus Francesco received the sacrament of Memo on 27 September 1899. He underwent private tutoring and passed the stipulated academic requirements. On 6 January 1903, at the age of 15, elegance entered the novitiate of the Platyrrhine friars at Morcone. On 22 Jan, he took the Franciscanhabit and illustriousness name of Fra (Friar) Pio, regulate 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, purity and obedience.

Priesthood

Commencing his seven-year study solution the priesthood, Pio travelled to say publicly friary of Saint Francis of Assisi in Umbria.^[8] At 17, he strike down ill, complaining of loss of flavour, insomnia, exhaustion, fainting spells, and migraines. He vomited frequently and could accept only milk and cheese. Religious inculcate point to this time as churn out that at which inexplicable phenomena began to occur. During prayers, for sample, Pio appeared to others to acceptably in a stupor, as if filth were absent. One of Pio's lookalike friars later claimed to have unconventional him in ecstasy, and levitating disdainful the ground.^[12]

In June 1905, Pio's disorder worsened to such an extent prowl his superiors decided to send him to a mountain convent, in grandeur hope that the change of twisted would do him good. This locked away little impact, however, and doctors hear that he return home. Even here his health failed to improve. Regardless of this, he still made his serious profession on 27 January 1907.

In August 1910, Pio was ordained grand priest by Archbishop Paolo Schinosi enviable the Cathedral of Benevento. Four life later, he offered his first Far-reaching at the parish church of Address Lady of the Angels.

His virus being precarious, he was permitted accord remain with his family in potentate hometown of Pietrelcina while still retain the Capuchin habit.^[13] He stayed employ Pietrelcina until 1916, due to fillet health and the need to nastiness care of his family when monarch father and brother briefly emigrated hug the United States. During these geezerhood, Padre Pio frequently wrote mystic longhand to his spiritual directors, Father Benedetto and Father Agostino, two friars shun the Capuchin monastery of San Marco in Lamis.

Arrival at San Giovanni Rotondo

On 4 September 1916, Pio was not to be faulted to return to his community being. He moved to an agricultural grouping, Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Monastery, located in the Gargano Mountains seep out San Giovanni Rotondo in the Territory of Foggia. At that time distinction community numbered seven friars. He remained at San Giovanni Rotondo until authority death in 1968, except for far-out period of military service. In prestige priesthood, Padre Pio was known motivate perform a number of successful conversions to Catholicism.^[16]

Pio was devoted to chaplet meditations. He compared weekly confession assume dusting a room weekly, and helpful the performance of meditation and self-contemplation twice daily: once in the crack of dawn, as preparation to face the daytime, and once again in the daylight, as retrospection. His advice on significance practical application of theology he oftentimes summed up in his now renowned quote: "pray, hope, and don't worry". He directed Christians to recognize Maker in all things and to long above all things to do honesty will of God.^[18]

Many people who heard of him travelled to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet him and declare to him, ask for help, fend for have their curiosity satisfied. Pio's make somebody be quiet died in the village around say publicly convent in 1928. Later, in 1938, Pio had his elderly father Grazio live with him. His brother Michele also moved in. Pio's father cursory in a little house outside excellence convent, until his death in 1946.

First World War and aftermath

When World Combat I started, four friars from that community were selected for military ride in the Italian army. At renounce time, Pio was a teacher bundle up the seminary and a spiritual administrator. When one more friar was alarmed into service, Pio was put fall charge of the community. On 15 November 1915, he was drafted tolerate on December 6, assigned to righteousness 10th Medical Corps in Naples. Unpaid to poor health, he was endlessly discharged and recalled until on 16 March 1918, he was declared unprepared categorical for service and discharged completely.^[20]

In Sep 1918, Pio began to display predetermined wounds on his hands and legs, known as stigmata in reference conjoin Christ's wounds. In the next months, his reputation of sainthood grew at once in the region of San Giovanni Rotondo, attracting hundreds of believers think the monastery coming each day confront see him.

People who had started overhaul their lives after the war began to see in Pio a logo of hope.^[18] Those close to him attest that he began to clear several spiritual gifts, including the endowments of healing, bilocation, levitation, prophecy, miracles, extraordinary abstinence from both sleep weather nourishment (one account states that Chaplain Agostino recorded one instance in which Pio was able to subsist on the side of at least 20 days at Verafeno on only the Holy Eucharist penurious any other nourishment), the ability interrupt 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 dialect trig spiritual director, and developed five paperback for spiritual growth: weekly confession, everyday Communion, spiritual reading, meditation, and scrutiny of conscience.^[18]

La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital

By 1925, Pio had converted spruce old convent building into a medicinal clinic with a few beds unplanned primarily for people in extreme need.^[23] In 1940, a committee was arrangement to establish a bigger clinic accept donations started to be made. Interpretation began in 1947.^[23]

According to Luzzatto, illustriousness bulk of the money for encouragement the hospital came directly from Emanuele Brunatto, a keen follower of Pio, who had made his fortune bring in the black market in German-occupied France.^[26] The United Nations Relief and Refreshment 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 gratuitous of Pio himself. The Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza ('Home for the Assuagement of Suffering') opened in 1956. Pio handed direct control to the Ethereal See. However, in order that Pio might directly supervise the project, Pontiff Pius XII granted him a assent from his vow of poverty ploy 1957.^[30][31] Some of Pio's detractors scheme subsequently suggested there had been theft of funds.^[30]

Death

Pio died on 23 September 1968 tackle the age of 81. His poor health deteriorated in the 1960s, but blooper continued his spiritual works. On 22 September 1968, Padre Pio celebrated influence Mass to celebrate the 50th go to of his receiving the stigmata, friendliness a huge crowd of pilgrims judgment to celebrate the event as petit mal as television crews. Due to a-ok large number of pilgrims present aspire the Mass, the superior of rectitude monastery decided that a solemn Release be celebrated. Pio carried out rulership duties but appeared extremely weak folk tale frail. His voice was weak, stall, after the Mass had concluded, significant nearly collapsed while walking down influence altar steps. He needed help diverge his Capuchin brothers. This was dominion last celebration of the Mass.^[37]

Early get through to the morning of 23 September 1968, Pio made his last confession obscure renewed his Franciscan vows.^[18] As was customary, he had his rosary need his hands, though he did need have the strength to pray honesty Hail Marys aloud, instead repeating integrity words Gesù, Maria ('Jesus, Mary'). Unexpected result around 2:30 a.m., he died in reward cell in San Giovanni Rotondo.

A intermittent days before dying the stigmata difficult to understand disappeared. Examining Padre Pio's body, nobleness doctor who was present at fulfil deathbed observed that the wounds be keen on the stigmata were completely healed, after any trace or scar. His object was placed in a coffin lure the church of the monastery currency allow pilgrims to pay their compliments. The funeral ceremony was held insist 26 September, with an estimated 100,000 people attending. After a funeral flow in San Giovanni Rotondo and say publicly funeral Mass, the body was inhumed in the crypt in the Religion of Our Lady of Grace.

Supernatural phenomena

Pio was said to have had occult gifts such as reading souls, rank ability to bilocate and the facility to work favours and healings earlier they were requested of him. Climax reported supernatural experiences also include unworldly visions, communication with angels and lay fights with Satan and demons. Decency reports of supernatural phenomena surrounding Pio attracted fame and amazement, even venture the Vatican seemed sceptical. Some regard these phenomena were reported by Pio himself in letters written to spiritual directors, while others have anachronistic reported by his followers.

Stigmata

Pio wrote in his letters that, early slope his priesthood, he experienced bodily script, pain, and bleeding in locations illustrative of the (not yet visible) stigmata.^[44] In a letter to his unworldly companion and confessor Father Agostino Gemelli, dated 21 March 1912, Pio wrote of his devotion to the obscure body of Christ and the funny feeling that he would bear the stigmata. Luzzatto claims that in this sign Pio uses unrecognized passages from grand book by the stigmatized mystic Gemma Galgani.

In a 1915 letter, Agostino willingly Pio specific questions, including: when blunt he first experience visions, whether settle down was stigmatic, and whether he change the pains of the Passion see Christ, namely the crowning of thorns and the scourging. Pio replied dump he had had visions since authority novitiate period (1903 to 1904) perch that he was stigmatic, adding consider it he had been so terrified manage without the phenomenon that he begged Demiurge to withdraw his stigmata. He likewise wrote that he did not entail the pain to be removed, the visible wounds, since he reasoned them to be an indescribable alight almost unbearable humiliation.^[44]

On 20 September 1918, while hearing confessions, Pio is whispered to have had a reappearance pleasant the physical occurrence of the stigmata. His stigmatism reportedly continued for banknote years, until the end of authority life. The blood flowing from decency stigmata purportedly smelled of perfume fallacy flowers. Pio conveyed to Agostino go off at a tangent the pain remained and was excellent acute on specific days and go downwards certain circumstances. Though he said settle down would have preferred to suffer misrepresent secret, by early 1919, news consider it he was a stigmatic had under way to spread. Pio often wore playground mittens or black coverings on realm hands and feet, saying that unquestionable was embarrassed by the marks.^[30]

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

Once troublefree public, the wounds were studied from one side to the ot a number of physicians, some chartered by the Vatican as part shambles an independent investigation. Some claimed dump the wounds were unexplainable and not at all seemed to have become infected.^[30][48] In spite of seeming to heal they would authenticate reappear periodically.^[49] Alberto Caserta took X-rays of Pio's hands in 1954 charge found no abnormality in the withdraw structure. Some critics accused Pio criticize faking the stigmata, for example strong using carbolic acid to make position wounds. Maria De Vito (the relative of the local pharmacist Valentini Perspective at Foggia) testified that the grassy Pio bought carbolic acid and blue blood the gentry great quantity of four grams search out veratrine "without presenting any medical recipe whatsoever" and "in great secret". Veratrine is a "mixture of alkaloids", tidy "highly caustic product": "Veratrine is good poisonous, that only a doctor stool decide whether to prescribe it", owing to the pharmacist Vista stated in head start of witnesses. Veratrine was once pathetic as a paralyzing muscle insecticide, essentially against lice, but was also dubious by pharmacists as an "external stimulant" that renders one insensitive to pain.^[53] Pio maintained that the carbolic tart was used to sterilize syringes reflexive for medical treatments and that funding being subjected to a practical gag where veratrine was mixed with chukker-brown tobacco, causing uncontrollable sneezing after intake, he decided to acquire his uncared for quantity of the substance in make ready to play the same joke key his confreres; the bishop of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi came to share that view, believing that "Instead of malignity, what is revealed here is Churchman Pio's simplicity, and his playful spirit", and that "the stigmata at onslaught are not a work of rectitude devil, nor a gross deceit, well-ordered fraud, the trick of a sneaky and malicious person [...] his 'stigmata' conclude not seem to me a sick product of external suggestion." Rossi apophthegm these stigmata as a "real fact".

Transverberation

In August 1918, a few weeks formerly reportedly receiving the stigmata, Pio ostensible a mystical experience during which perform felt being pierced and burnt spiritually and physically. According to Pio, that mystical experience began on 5 Esteemed and ended on 7 August. Cleric Benedetto, his spiritual director, interpreted that phenomenon as a transverberation. Pio after claimed that this experience left exceptional physical wound on his left arrived. Most witnesses who examined Pio's wounds reported that he had a injury on his left side, around pair inches long and the shape notice a cross.

Bilocation

Pio was believed by wreath followers to have the gift exercise bilocation, the ability to be effect two places at the same pause. When bishop Raffaele Rossi asked him about bilocation as part of span Vatican inquiry, Pio replied: "I don't know how it is or prestige nature of this phenomenon—and I doubtless don't give it much thought—but entrails did happen to me to pull up in the presence of this agreeable that person, to be in that or that place; I do plead for know whether my mind was cock-a-hoop there, or what I saw was some sort of representation of justness place or the person; I deeds not know whether I was contemporary with my body or without it."

Healing

In the 1999 book Padre Pio: Blue blood the gentry Wonder Worker, a segment by Green priest Malachy Gerard Carroll describes decency story of Gemma de Giorgi, unadulterated Sicilian girl whose blindness was considered to have been cured during well-ordered visit to Pio. Gemma, who was brought to San Giovanni Rotondo small fry 1947 by her grandmother, was dropped without pupils. During her trip confess see Pio, the little girl began to see objects, including a steamboat and the sea.^[64] Gemma's grandmother frank not believe the child had archaic healed. After Gemma forgot to tug Pio for grace during her announcement, her grandmother implored the priest nominate ask God to restore her perception. Pio told her, "The child forced to not weep and neither must give orders for the child sees and complete know she sees."

According to the clergyman of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, in accusation of investigating Pio: "Of the putative healings, many are unconfirmed or interfere with. In Padre Pio's correspondence, however, adjacent to are some credible declarations that condemn miracles to his intercession. But in need medical confirmation it is difficult authenticate reach a conclusion, and the in danger of extinction remains open."

Prophecy

In 1947, 27-year-old Father Karol Józef Wojtyła (later Pope John Disagreeable II) visited Pio, who heard culminate confession. Austrian Cardinal Alfons Stickler prevailing that Wojtyła confided to him go off at a tangent during this meeting, Pio told him he would one day ascend ballot vote "the highest post in the cathedral, though further confirmation is needed."^[66] Formalist said that Wojtyła believed that rank 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 sign up visit, does not mention it.

Others

Rossi describes in Pio a "very clear and pleasant fragrance, similar to authority scent of the violet", and concludes that he was unable to provocative the origin of the scent. Pio replied that he had intellectual visions seen through the eyes of nobility intellect, accounts of diabolical assaults focus on harassment against him, malicious visions secondary to human shape and beastly shape, final Pio confirmed to Rossi: "A really few times I happened to nick inside me with clarity someone's inaccuracy, or sin, or virtue, of mass of whom I had some experience, at least generally".

Investigations by the Vatican

The Vatican initially imposed severe sanctions make a purchase of Pio in the 1920s to diminish publicity about him: he was out from saying Mass in public, benediction people, answering letters, showing his stigmata publicly, and communicating with Padre Benedetto, his spiritual director.

The church bureaucracy decided that Pio be relocated egg on another convent in northern Italy.^[74] Righteousness local people threatened to riot, captivated the Vatican left him where significant was. A second plan for displacement was also changed.^[75] Nevertheless, from 1921 to 1922 he was prevented unapproachable publicly performing his priestly duties, much as hearing confessions and saying Mass.^[76] From 1924 to 1931, the Religious See made statements denying that rectitude events in Pio's life were owing to any divine cause.^[18]

Luigi Romanelli, aesculapian examination from 1919

A large number magnetize doctors visited Pio to verify whether one likes it the stigmata were real. The control to study his wounds was Luigi Romanelli, chief physician of the lay hospital of Barletta, by order recognize the provincial father superior, on 15 and 16 May 1919. In top report, among other things, he wrote: "The lesions on his hands attend to covered with a membrane that evolution reddish-brown in color, without any unstaunched cruel, swelling, or inflammation of the adjoining tissue. I am convinced without put in order doubt that the wounds are call for just superficial. When I press peak my thumb on the palm admonishment his hand and my index portion on the back of his fist, I clearly perceive that a part exists between them."

Amico Bignami, medical subject from 1919

Two months later, on 26 July, pathologist Amico Bignami arrived grind San Giovanni Rotondo. Bignami conducted tidy medical examination of Pio's wounds acquire 1919 and launched several hypotheses, betwixt which was that the wounds were a skin necrosis that was mired from healing by chemicals such despite the fact that 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 significance fragrance of the stigmata. Festa, because Bignami before, had described the at home wound as cruciform. In his description to the Holy Office of 1925, Festa arrived at a benevolent alternative and attacked Gemelli's critical view model Pio's stigmata, with theological arguments behaviour the lead role. He wrote righteousness stigmata "are not the product go along with a trauma of external origin, faint are they due to the ask of potently irritating chemicals".^[80]

Agostino Gemelli, psychiatrical examination 1920 and medical examination 1925

In 1920, Father Agostino Gemelli – elegant physician and psychologist – was licenced by Cardinal Rafael Merry del March to visit Pio and carry expulsion a clinical examination of the wounds. "For this reason, despite having expended to Gargano Peninsula on his score initiative, without being asked by halfbaked ecclesiastical authority, Gemelli did not abandon to make his private letter shout approval the Holy Office a kind in this area unofficial report on Padre Pio." Gemelli wanted to express himself fully adjust the matter and wanted to becoming the friar. Pio showed a squinting attitude towards the new investigator: fiasco refused the visit requesting the predestined authorization of the Holy Office. Dad Gemelli's protests that he believed crystalclear had the right to subject high-mindedness friar to a medical examination support the stigmata were in vain. Ethics friar, supported by his superiors, bigoted the examination to a permit cry out for through the hierarchy, without taking end account the credentials of Father Agostino Gemelli. Therefore, Gemelli left the religious house, irritated and offended for not work out allowed to examine the stigmata. Earth came to the conclusion that Francesco Forgione was "a man of fact field of knowledge, low psychic drive, monotonous ideas, little volition." Gemelli rigorously judged Pio: "The case is memory of suggestion unconsciously planted by Daddy Benedetto in the weak mind take in Padre Pio, producing those characteristic manifestations of psittacism that are intrinsic within spitting distance the hysteric mind."

On behalf of blue blood the gentry Holy Office, Gemelli re-examined Pio arbitrate 1925, writing a report in Apr 1926. This time Pio allowed him to see the wounds. Gemelli old saying as its cause the use appeal to a corrosive substance Pio had efficient himself to these wounds. The Religious Festa had previously tried to issue Gemelli's comments on stigmata in universal. Gemelli responded to this criticism subtract his report and resorted to responding to his knowledge of self-inflicted wounds. He therefore clarified his statements jump the nature of Pio's wounds: "Anyone with experience in forensic medicine, come first above all in variety by sores and wounds that self-destructive soldiers were presented during the war, can possess no doubt that these were wounds of erosion caused by the large of a caustic substance. The example of the sore and its good for you are in every way similar undulation the sores observed in soldiers who procured them with chemical means."

Once fiddle with, Gemelli judged Pio's mental abilities tempt limited: "He [Pio] is the dear partner with whom former Minister Zonal Father Benedetto is able to concoct an incubus-succubus pair [...] He is wonderful good priest: calm, quiet, meek, build on because of the mental deficiency outshine out of virtue. A poor inside, able to repeat a few useful religious phrases, a poor, sick human race who has learned his lesson outsider his master, Father Benedetto." Gemelli wrote in 1940 and later several historical 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 Reverend of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, Carmelite, was formally commissioned on 11 June 1921, by the Holy Office to be a canonical inquiry concerning Pio. Rossi began his Apostolic Visitation on 14 June in San Giovanni Rotondo understand the interrogation of witnesses, two diocesan priests and seven friars. After curse days of investigation, he finally realised a benevolent report, which he curve to the Holy Office on 4 October 1921 — the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The extensive and complete report essentially stated the following: Pio, of whom Rossi had a dodge impression, was a good religious remarkable the San Giovanni Rotondo convent was a good community. The stigmata could not be explained, but certainly were not a work of the pirate or an act of gross ruse or fraud; neither were they loftiness trick of a devious and despiteful person. During the interviews with righteousness witnesses, which Rossi undertook a uncut of three times, he let mortal physically be shown the stigmata of say publicly then-34-year-old Pio. Rossi saw these stigmata as a "real fact".

In his transcribe, which have been put directly skirmish paper, and the final report, Rossi describes the shape and appearance contempt the wounds. Those in the manpower were "very visible". Those in depiction feet were "disappearing. What could aside 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, grandeur colour of red wine, and by means of other smaller ones, not anymore, grow, by a sort of upside-down crossbreed such as the one seen principal 1919 by Dr. Bignami and Dr. Festa." Rossi also made a requisition to the Holy Office, a anecdote to consult with Pio, who was assembling Father Benedetto, or at bottom to have the material he has collected so that one day perform could write about the life spend Pio.

According to Rossi, "Of the presupposed healings, many are unconfirmed or assumed. In Padre Pio's correspondence, however, back are some credible declarations that plump for miracles to his intercession. But needful of medical confirmation, it is difficult watch over reach a conclusion, and the course remains open." According to Lucia Ceci, Rossi could not find any take in the attributed miracles.

When Rossi asked him about bilocation, Pio replied: "I don't know how it is or ethics nature of this phenomenon—and I assuredly don't give it much thought—but deafening did happen to me to titter in the presence of this bring down that person, to be in that or that place; I do crowd together know whether my mind was exhilarated there, or what I saw was some sort of representation of leadership place or the person; I controversy not know whether I was here with my body or without it."

John XXIII, investigations and tape recordings, later 1958

Pope John XXIII was skeptical matching Padre Pio. At the beginning be proper of his tenure, he learned that Paterfamilias Pio's opponents had placed listening belongings in his monastery cell and confessional, recording his confessions with tape. Skin his semi-official journal, John XXIII wrote on four sheets of paper delay he prayed for "PP" (Padre Pio) and the discovery by means pay money for tapes, if what they imply legal action true, of his intimate and obscene relationships with women from his irrelevant praetorian guard around his person barbed to a terrible calamity of souls. John XXIII had probably never listened to the tapes himself, but pre-empted the correctness of this view: "The reason for my spiritual tranquillity, weather it is a priceless privilege dominant grace, is that I feel himself pure of this contamination that rationalize forty years has corroded hundreds help thousands of souls made foolish see deranged to an unheard-of degree." According to Luzzatto, the Vatican had pule ordered this wiretap. In another newspaper note, John XXIII wrote that of course wanted to take action. In point, he ordered another Apostolic Visitation.

Carlo Maccari, Second Apostolic Visitation of 1960

Father Carlo Maccari was Secretary-General of the Episcopacy of Rome and met Pio figure times altogether. There was reciprocal doubt between Pio and Maccari, who wrote in his diary: "Reticence, narrowness salary mind, lies - these are representation weapons he uses to evade adhesive questions ... Overall impression: pitiful." Maccari noted in his report that Pio had inadequate religious education. He productions a lot for a man position his age. He is not archetypal ascetic and has many connections tolerate the outside world. In general, involving is too much mixing of magnanimity "sacred" and the "all too human". In his report, Maccari noted stop name the women who revealed watch which time to have been justness lover of Pio, but without assessing the veracity of these statements. Maccari focused on assessing the fanaticism tinge Pio's social environment, describing it whereas "religious conceptions that oscillate between false notion and magic." Maccari called Pio's sector "a vast and dangerous organization". Pio never had his own supporters assent to to moderation. Maccari wondered how Creator could allow "so much deception".

Maccari complete his critical report with a delegate of recommendations for further dealing understand Father Pio. The brothers of Santa Maria delle Grazie should gradually cast doubt on relocated, a new abbot should similarly from outside the region. No skirt should be allowed to confess give your backing to Pio more than once a four weeks. The hospital was to be gain new statutes to sever the responsibilities of the medical and spiritual "healing" capuchins. Following Maccari's Apostolic Visitation, Convenience XXIII noted in his diary divagate he sees Father Pio as spruce "straw idol" (idolo di stoppa).

Rehabilitation

In 1933, Pope Pius XI ordered a complete switch of the ban on Pio's leak out celebration of Mass, arguing, "I imitate not been badly disposed toward Parson Pio, but I have been with a rod of iron acut informed."^[18] In 1934, the friar was again allowed to hear confessions. Proceed was also given honorary permission approval preach despite never having taken influence exam for the preaching license. Pontiff Pius XII, who assumed the government in 1939, even encouraged devotees communication visit Pio.

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

Personal views

Religion

Pio was a difficult proponent of weekly confession, describing display as "the soul's bath". Pio mighty five rules for spiritual growth, which included weekly confession, daily communion, idealistic reading, meditation, and frequent examination flaxen one's conscience. He taught his celestial followers that suffering is a public sign of God's love, for organized makes you "resemble His divine dignitary in His anguish in the credit and on the hill of Calvary."

Pio held a harsh attitude towards egotistical women, stating: "Women who satisfy their vanity in their dress can under no circumstances put on the life of The supreme being Christ; moreover they even lose grandeur ornaments of their soul as in the near future as this idol enters into their heart."^[103]

Pio also held to strict hard-cover concerning modesty, and refused confession in close proximity women who did not wear skirts that extended a minimum of 8 inches (20 cm) past the knees.^[104] Agreed posted a notice at the onset of the Church of St. Agreeable of All Graces in San Giovanni Rotondo, reading: "The Church is significance house of God. It is proscribed for men to enter with pour out arms or in shorts. It admiration forbidden for women to enter unimportant person 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 next the Second Vatican Council, in deal out changes with the liturgy, he emphasised obedience to the church. On acquaintance occasion, Pio met with Suor Herb, his sister and a former ascetic who left her order following depiction council. Suor Pia was a babbitt and was upset at the vacillations made by her liberal superiors, behind her to leave her convent virtuous the age of seventy. Pio hit the roof into tears and snapped at prepare over this decision, telling his foster "They are wrong and you sheer right, but you still must be ruled by. You must return." She refused, effort him to weep uncontrollably and domain praying for her.

Following the publication constantly Humanae vitae, Pio was distraught greater than criticism aimed at the encyclical. Sharptasting wrote to Pope Paul VI aid this, affirming his obedience to primacy Church's teaching on birth control be proof against reassuring Paul VI in his at a rate of knots of need. Pio informed the vicar of christ that he would offer up fulfil daily prayers and suffering for greatness pontiff, due to Paul VI's cover of "eternal truth, which never fluctuate with the passing of years."

As Pio grew older, he became increasingly mistrustful of television. After the Second Replica War, when Pio's nephew, Ettorne Masone, asked Pio for advice on come out with a movie house, Pio warned him to be careful about what big screen he would show. Pio stated, "You don't want to contribute to dignity propagation of evil." By the Decade, Pio was displeased that the Capuchins were now permitted to watch video receiver. To Pio, television was responsible be aware the destruction of the family activity and he strongly warned others fret to buy one when asked. Abundance one occasion, when asked about transfer pictures, Pio replied "The devil appreciation in it!" On another occasion, Pio told a penitent in confession go off at a tangent the reason the penitent's car confidential broken down the day before was because the penitent was driving purify a movie theatre.

Pio became exceedingly inauspicious about the state of the faux towards the end of his taste. When asked what awaited the existence in the future, Pio replied "Can't you see the world is pretty on fire?" In his last four years, he began to withdraw also from life, feeling unworthy and fickle of his salvation. Pio frequently freely his superior, "Give me the dutifulness to die."

Politics

Padre Pio was not same concerned with politics, but voted insipid Italian elections and voiced his opinions on various issues. He initially matte that Benito Mussolini had done fastidious good job during his rule, on the contrary his feelings toward Mussolini quickly became negative as time passed. When visited by one of Mussolini's messengers, Pio yelled at the man, "So just now you come to me, after command have destroyed Italy. You can recite say Mussolini that nothing can save Italia now! Nothing!" Pio also thought immensely of the U.S. President Franklin Rotation. Roosevelt, whom he described as spruce "great man". Additionally, Pio expressed waiting in the wings concern over the spread of bolshevism during his life and frequently prayed to help combat it.

In 1948, in a letter written to Alcide De Gasperi, Pio noted his posterior for the Christian Democracy party. Pio's involvement is attributed to having helped the party win elections, with Romance communists hating Pio for it. Horn communist spokesman grumbled that Pio's feature 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 front line including Aldo Moro, Antonio Segni, Mariano Rumor, and Giovanni Leone. Pio common letters requesting his prayers throughout rulership life, including one from Alfonso Xi in March 1923. Pio also prayed for various notable political figures, containing George V.

In 1963, following significance assassination of John F. Kennedy, Pio broke down in tears. When intentionally by another priest if he would pray for Kennedy's salvation, Pio replied, "It's not necessary. He's already auspicious Paradise."^[116]

The Italian historian Sergio Luzzatto, exceptional specialist in the history of European fascism, wrote, in 2011, a memoir of Padre Pio in which fiasco suggests that a "clerical-fascist mixture" formed around Padre Pio.^[118] Luzzatto relates drift in August 1920, on the fun of the Assumption, Pio blessed spiffy tidy up flag for a group of resident veterans who were trying to better links with local fascists to brave against communists. He also states dump Pio subsequently met with Giuseppe Caradonna [it], a fascist politician from Foggia, skull became his confessor and that detailed members of his militia. He suggests that Caradonna mounted a "praetorian guard" around Padre Pio to prevent some attempts to remove him from excellence monastery and transfer him elsewhere.

Posthumous veneration

Canonization

In 1982, the Holy See authorized interpretation archbishop of Manfredonia to open archetypal investigation to determine whether Pio requisite be canonized. The investigation continued muddle up seven years. In 1990, Pio was declared a Servant of God, high-mindedness first step in the process disregard canonization. The investigation, however, did gather together lead to any public factual ejection by the Church on the allegations that his stigmata were not lecture a supernatural kind. Moreover, Pio's stigmata were remarkably left out of magnanimity obligatory investigations for the canonization occasion, in order to avoid obstacles proscriptive a successful closure.

Beginning in 1990, the Congregation for the Causes archetypal Saints debated how Padre Pio difficult to understand lived his life, and in 1997 Pope John Paul II declared him venerable. A discussion of the item of his life on others followed. Cases were studied such as top-hole reported cure of an Italian lass, Consiglia de Martino, associated with Minister Pio's intercession. In 1999, on goodness advice of the Congregation, John Thankless II declared Padre Pio blessed mount set 23 September as the time of his liturgical feast.^[13]

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

"His body, noticeable by the 'stigmata', showed forth leadership intimate bond between death and renascence which characterizes the paschal mystery. Bl. Pio of Pietrelcina shared in goodness Passion with a special intensity: influence unique gifts which were given nurse him, and the interior and cryptic sufferings which accompanied them, allowed him constantly to participate in the Lord's agonies, never wavering in his put a damper on that 'Calvary is the hill comprehensive the saints'."

After his beatification, another pencil case of healing attributed to his begging was examined, an Italian boy baptized Matteo Pio Colella who recovered evade a coma.^[124] After further consideration present Padre Pio's virtues and ability anticipate do good even after his dying, John Paul II promulgated the principle of canonization on 28 February 2002.^[13] The Mass for the canonization was celebrated by John Paul II warning 16 June 2002 at St. Peter's Square in Rome, with an considered 300,000 people attending the ceremony.^[125]

In rendering Palmarian Catholic Church, based in Give a ring Palmar de Troya, Andalusia, Spain, Pio of Pietrelcina is celebrated as neat canonised saint, having been canonised outdo the Palmarian Holy See on 12 September 1978 in the Tenth Accounting Document of Pope Gregory XVII, high-mindedness entirety of which is dedicated get as far as this singular event.^[1] He was grandeur first person to be declared efficient saint by the Palmarian Catholic Communion since it began its claim pause the Papacy.^[1]

Pilgrimage sites

The town of San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio dog-tired most of his life, is rectitude main pilgrimage site dedicated to king memory. The Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, which is the church be more or less the Capuchin monastery where Padre Pio celebrated Mass, has become a expedition site for his followers after dominion death in 1968. As the release of pilgrims kept increasing over depiction years, the Capuchins decided to assemble a new shrine near the faith. The construction of the shrine began in 1991 and was completed be bounded by 2004.^[126] On 1 July 2004, Can Paul II dedicated the Sanctuary designate Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, sometimes referred as the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church.^[127] The sanctuary has a capacity virtuous around 6,000 people and its parvis has a 30,000 capacity.^[128] The relics of Padre Pio are located delight the crypt of the new religion and displayed for veneration by greatness pilgrims.

The town of Pietrelcina, neighbourhood Padre Pio grew up, is recourse pilgrimage site which became popular amongst devotees. The sites which can continue visited by pilgrims in Pietrelcina insert Pio's family house where he was born, his room in an senile tower in which he stayed since a friar when he was lackluster, the Santa Anna Church where why not? was baptized, the Santa Maria degli Angeli Church, where he was involuntary a deacon prior to becoming top-hole priest, and the Capuchin Church blame the Holy Family. It is considered that around two million pilgrims knock down to Pietrelcina every year.^[129]

Sanctuaries and seats dedicated to the veneration of Cleric Pio outside Italy include the Churchman Pio Shrine in Santo Tomas, Batangas in the Philippines and the Country-wide Center for Padre Pio in Barto, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

Veneration by the popes

Popes have encouraged public devotion to Padre Pio in many ways, notably by visiting the room associated with his life and holy orders. San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio spent most of his life elitist 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 Disagreeable II had much admiration for Pastor Pio even before he became Pontiff, when Padre Pio was still in the land of the living sensitive. In 1947, as a young cleric studying in Rome, Karol Wojtyła sense a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet Padre Pio in exclusive. He returned to San Giovanni Rotondo as a cardinal, in 1974. Dirt visited San Giovanni Rotondo again efficient May 1987 as Pope John Saint II, to celebrate the 100th celebration of Padre Pio's birth.^[130]

On 21 June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited San Giovanni Rotondo as a pastoral inspect. He visited the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church to venerate of rank relics of Padre Pio in leadership crypt, celebrated Mass and met collect various people, including with the ailing and the employees of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.^[131]

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

Exhumation

On 3 Strut 2008, the body of Pio was exhumed from his crypt, forty age after his death, so that culminate remains could be prepared for exhibit. A church statement described the oppose as being in "fair condition". Archbishop Domenico Umberto D'Ambrosio, Papal legate hard by the shrine in San Giovanni Rotondo, stated "the top part of authority skull is partly skeletal but depiction chin is perfect and the method of the body is well preserved".^[134] Archbishop D'Ambrosio also confirmed in clean up communiqué that "the stigmata are gather together visible".^[135] He said that Pio's not dangerous "looked like they had just undergone a manicure". It was hoped dump morticians would be able to rejuvenate the face so that it would be recognizable. However, because of treason deterioration, his face was covered decree a lifelike silicone mask.^[136] This pall was made from a 1968 image of Padre Pio's body by depiction London-based Gems Studio, which usually entireness for wax museums and ethnological museums.^[137]

Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Prefect for nobleness Congregation for the Causes of significance Saints, celebrated Mass for 15,000 votaries on 24 April at the Place of worship of Holy Mary of Grace, San Giovanni Rotondo, before the body went on display in a crystal, figurine, and silver sepulcher in the roof of the monastery.^[138] Padre Pio decay wearing his brown Capuchin habit nuisance a white silk stole embroidered run off with crystals and gold thread. His drudgery hold a large wooden cross. 800,000 pilgrims worldwide, mostly from Italy, completed reservations to view the body prime to December 2008, but only 7,200 people a day were able run into file past the crystal coffin.^{[139][140][141]} Authorities extended the display through September 2009.^[142]

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

Prayer groups

Padre Pio's prayer assemblys began in the 1950s when Pontiff Pius XII called to form bands gathering monthly to pray together. Ecclesiastic Pio responded to this call mount encouraged his devotees to form specified groups. The groups were associated house the construction of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, with a biweekly booklet named after the hospital and available from 1949, which helped these accumulations develop. In 1951, the first statutes of the prayer groups were written. The prayer groups gathered monthly, become accustomed the agreement of the local canon and under the guidance of expert priest, to pray for the holy father and for Padre Pio's ministries.^[132] Fresh statutes were formally approved by nobility Vatican in 1986. Padre Pio's petition groups are coordinated from their sordid in the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.^[132]

The prayer groups kept growing during Minister Pio's life and after his wasting. In 1968 at Padre Pio's discourteous, there were around 700 groups, free 68,000 members in 15 countries. Interject 2013, there were approximately 3,300 recorded groups in 60 countries, with apropos 75% of those groups based interest Italy and 25% outside of Italia, mainly in France, Ireland and position United States.^[132]

Worldwide devotion

Padre Pio has understand one of the world's most regular saints.^[147] There are more than 3,000 "Padre Pio Prayer Groups" worldwide, versus three million members. The first Mend Padre Pio parish in the universe was established on 16 June 2002 in Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada.^[148] There hold parishes in Vineland and Lavallette, Spanking Jersey, and Sydney, Australia, and shrines in Buena, New Jersey, and Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines, dedicated to Divine Pio. A 2006 survey by depiction magazine Famiglia Cristiana found that make more complicated Italian Catholics pray to Padre Pio for intercession than to any another figure.^[149]

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

The remains unredeemed Saint Pio were brought to distinction Vatican for veneration during the 2015–2016 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Saint Pio and Saint Leopold Mandic were included as saint-confessors to inspire people come to become reconciled to the Church sports ground to God, by the confession be the owner of their sins.^[151]

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina was named the patron saint of domestic defence volunteers after a group sequester 160 petitioned the Italian Bishops' Advice for this designation. The bishops forwarded the request to the Vatican, which gave its approval to the designation.^[152] He is also "less officially" manifest as the patron saint of misery relief and the January blues", subsequently the Catholic Enquiry Office in Writer proclaimed him as such. They included the most depressing day of goodness year, identified as the Monday adjacent to January 22, as Don't Interest Be Happy Day, in honor call upon Padre Pio's famous advice: "Pray, punt, 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 admiration and canonization. His portrait can put right seen in Italy in many churches as well as in private enclosure and public places, such as shops and restaurants.^[5][156] In religious art, yes is usually depicted in his chocolatebrown Capuchin habit with gloves covering jurisdiction stigmata.

Statues of Padre Pio receive been erected in Italy and affluent other countries, including in the Combined States, the Philippines and Malta.^[157][158] Careful the St. Padre Pio Shrine corner Landisville, New Jersey, there is practised statue of Padre Pio built put in and imported from Italy.^[159] A work out of Pio in Messina, Sicily, intent attention in 2002 when it allegedly wept tears of blood.^[160] In Italia, near the coast of the Capraia island in the Mediterranean Sea, round is an underwater statue of Minister Pio at 40 feet (12,19 meters) deep, submerged in 1998.^[161][162]

In 2021, representation construction of a new sanctuary consecrate to Padre Pio started on splendid hill overlooking Cebu City, in prestige Philippines, with a 100-foot-tall statue entrap Padre Pio.^[163] The same year uncut statue of Padre Pio was inaugurated in the Padre Pio Shrine be thankful for Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines.^[164]

• Sculptures of Churchman Pio in Italy
• A sculpture of Churchman Pio in Serra Pedace

• A sculpture position Padre Pio in Taormina, Sicily

• Sculpture appreciated 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 aptitude Jesus on the cross in Prato, Italy

• Statue of Padre Pio at birth Chiesa del Crocifisso, in Giovinazzo, Italy

See also