About St. Padre Pio
Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione in 1887 in southern Italy, was one of the most fascinating and controversial Catholic saints of the 20th century. A Capuchin friar known for bearing the stigmata (wounds of Christ) for 50 years, he became a worldwide sensation despite rarely leaving his small monastery in San Giovanni Rotondo. He was known for extraordinary spiritual gifts including bilocation, prophecy, and the ability to read souls in confession, where he would sometimes spend up to 19 hours a day. Despite facing intense scrutiny from church authorities, who at times restricted his public ministry due to concerns about the authenticity of his gifts and the cult-like devotion he inspired, he maintained a remarkable following. His masses would often last several hours, and people would wait days to confess to him. He established the Home for the Relief of Suffering, a modern hospital, in 1956. Despite his supernatural reputation, he was known for his practical advice, often telling people, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” He died in 1968 and was canonized in 2002, with his funeral drawing over 100,000 people, making him one of the most popular modern saints in Catholic history.
Prayers & Devotions
