Padre Pio

Epic card · No. 11070

Pio of Pietrelcina (born Francesco Forgione; 25 May 1887 – 23 September 1968), widely known as Padre Pio ("Father Pio"), Latin: Pater Pius) was an Italian friar of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, priest, stigmatist and mystic. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, and the Palmarian Church; his feast day is celebrated on 23 September. Francesco joined the Capuchins at 15, and spent most of his religious life in the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo. As Padre Pio, he was known throughout his life for numerous instances of supernatural phenomena, most notably stigmata—wounds like those of Jesus Christ at his crucifixion—on his hands and feet and side. Several investigations into the phenomena were conducted by the Vatican; and although they led to temporary sanctions on his ministry, his reputation for sanctity continued to increase during his lifetime. He was also renowned for other mystical phenomena, and many other forms of spiritual outreach to individuals. After his death...

Read on Wikipedia · Image File:Padre Pio portrait.jpg: The original uploader was Manfredonia at Italian Wikipedia. derivative work: MisterNox, Public domain