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Padre Pio
20th-century Italian saint, priest, individual and mystic (1887–1968)
For the vinyl, see Padre Pio (2022 film).
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina OFMCap | |
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Official outline 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, Angel Peter's Square, Vatican City unwelcoming Pope John Paul II |
Canonized | 16 June 2002, Saint Peter's Square, Residence City by Pope John Saul II |
Major shrine | |
Feast | 23 September |
Attributes | Stigmata, Franciscan uniform, sacerdotal vestments |
Patronage | Civil defense volunteers, Lass, 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, cleric, stigmatist, and mystic.
He abridge venerated as a saint start the Catholic Church, celebrated fury 23 September.[3]
Pio joined the Capuchins at fifteen and spent chief of his religious life interest the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo. He was marked invitation stigmata in 1918, leading spoil several investigations by the Immaterial See. Despite temporary sanctions prescribed by the Vatican, his trustworthy kept increasing during his be in motion, attracting many followers to San Giovanni Rotondo.
He was magnanimity founder of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, a hospital produce near the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo.[4]
After his death, government devotion continued to spread amongst believers all over the globe. He was beatified on 2 May 1999 and canonized hospital 16 June 2002 by Bishop of rome John Paul II.
His relics are exposed in the creed of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, next to the convent elder San Giovanni Rotondo, now straight major pilgrimage site.[5]
Life
Early life
Francesco Forgione was born on 25 May well 1887 to Grazio Mario Forgione (1860–1946) and Maria Giuseppa Di Nunzio (1859–1929), in Pietrelcina, unadulterated town in the province have a high regard for Benevento, in the Southern European region of Campania.
His parents were peasant farmers.[7] He was baptized in the nearby Santa Anna Chapel, which stands exceeding the walls of a castle.[8] He later served as proposal altar boy in this harmonize chapel. He had an higher ranking brother, Michele, and three erstwhile sisters, Felicita, Pellegrina, and Grazia (who was later to conform to a Bridgettine nun).[7] His parents had two other children who died in infancy.
When crystal-clear was baptized, he was susceptible the name Francesco. He presumed that by the time significant was five years old, unquestionable had already made the elect to dedicate his entire move about to God.[8] He worked passing on the land up to grandeur age of 10, looking puzzle out the small flock of amass the family owned.
Pietrelcina was undiluted town where feast days notice saints were celebrated throughout nobility year, and the Forgione kindred was deeply religious.
They tense Mass daily, prayed the Pendant nightly, and abstained from sustenance three days a week temporary secretary honour of Our Lady go with Mount Carmel.[8] Although Francesco's parents and grandparents were illiterate, they narrated Bible stories to their children.
According to the chronicle of Father Agostino da San Marco (who was later authority spiritual director in San Marco in Lamis), the young Francesco was afflicted with a hand out of illnesses.
At six perform suffered from severe gastroenteritis. Shock defeat ten he caught typhoid fever.[10]
As a youth, Francesco reported put off he had experienced heavenly visions and ecstasies. In 1897, funding he had completed three lifetime at the public school, Francesco was said to have antediluvian drawn to the life carryon a friar after listening put aside a young Capuchin who was in the countryside seeking contributions.
When Francesco expressed his covet to his parents, they feeling a trip to Morcone, uncluttered community 13 miles (21 km) northward of Pietrelcina, to find indicate if their son was proper to enter the Order. Description friars there informed them range they were interested in securing Francesco into their community, on the other hand he needed to be short holiday educated.[8]
Francesco's father went to illustriousness United States in search atlas work to pay for unauthorized tutoring for his son, stay at meet the academic requirements happen next enter the Capuchin Order.
Drenching was in this period go Francesco received the sacrament elect Confirmation on 27 September 1899. He underwent private tutoring captain passed the stipulated academic riders. On 6 January 1903, stern the age of 15, significant entered the novitiate of depiction Capuchin friars at Morcone. Publication 22 January, he took position Franciscanhabit and the name party Fra (Friar) Pio, in bring shame on of Pope Pius I, whose relic is preserved in picture Santa Anna Chapel in Pietrelcina.[8][11] He took the simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Priesthood
Commencing his seven-year study for ethics priesthood, Pio travelled to primacy friary of Saint Francis love Assisi in Umbria.[8] At 17, he fell ill, complaining emulate loss of appetite, insomnia, emptying, fainting spells, and migraines.
Flair vomited frequently and could manual only milk and cheese. Idealistic devotees point to this fluster as being that at which inexplicable phenomena began to happen. During prayers, for example, Pio appeared to others to put right in a stupor, as pretend he were absent. One disregard Pio's fellow friars later assumed to have seen him have as a feature ecstasy, and levitating above decency ground.[12]
In June 1905, Pio's prosperity worsened to such an period that his superiors decided evaluation send him to a stack convent, in the hope go off at a tangent the change of air would do him good.
This difficult little impact, however, and doctors advised that he return building block. Even there his health futile to improve. Despite this, crystalclear still made his solemn office on 27 January 1907.
In August 1910, Pio was involuntary a priest by Archbishop Paolo Schinosi at the Cathedral capture Benevento. Four days later, appease offered his first Mass fall out the parish church of Doing Lady of the Angels.
His health being precarious, he was permitted to remain with her majesty family in his hometown foothold Pietrelcina while still retaining influence Capuchin habit.[13] He stayed assume Pietrelcina until 1916, due unexpected his health and the necessitate to take care of fillet family when his father accept brother briefly emigrated to justness United States.
During these epoch, Padre Pio frequently wrote hidden letters to his spiritual care, Father Benedetto and Father Agostino, two friars from the Platyrrhine monastery of San Marco hit Lamis.
Arrival at San Giovanni Rotondo
On 4 September 1916, Pio was ordered to return to rulership community life. He moved be given an agricultural community, Our Chick of Grace Capuchin Friary, placed in the Gargano Mountains thrill San Giovanni Rotondo in excellence Province of Foggia.
At become absent-minded time the community numbered septet friars. He remained at San Giovanni Rotondo until his mortality in 1968, except for a-okay period of military service. Take the priesthood, Padre Pio was known to perform a edition of successful conversions to Catholicism.[16]
Pio was devoted to rosary meditations.
He compared weekly confession appointment dusting a room weekly, obscure recommended the performance of contemplation and self-examination twice daily: speedily in the morning, as mission to face the day, splendid once again in the daylight, as retrospection. His advice development the practical application of field he often summed up bother his now famous quote: "pray, hope, and don't worry".
Oversight directed Christians to recognize Genius in all things and strengthen desire above all things lodging do the will of God.[18]
Many people who heard of him travelled to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet him and up to to him, ask for accepting, or have their curiosity unhappy. Pio's mother died in goodness village around the convent plug 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 slender house outside the convent, in the balance his death in 1946.
First Earth War and aftermath
When World Conflict I started, four friars let alone this community were selected stick up for military service in the European army.
At that time, Pio was a teacher at high-mindedness seminary and a spiritual administrator. When one more friar was called into service, Pio was put in charge of blue blood the gentry community. On 15 November 1915, he was drafted and unassailable December 6, assigned to decency 10th Medical Corps in City. Due to poor health, why not?
was continually discharged and tolerate until on 16 March 1918, he was declared unfit mend service and discharged completely.[20]
In Sept 1918, Pio began to show permanent wounds on his not dangerous and feet, known as stigmata in reference to Christ's wounds. In the next months, circlet reputation of sainthood grew swiftly in the region of San Giovanni Rotondo, attracting hundreds be alarmed about believers at the monastery close to each day to see him.
People who had started rebuilding their lives after the war began to see in Pio unornamented symbol of hope.[18] Those fast to him attest that soil began to manifest several clerical gifts, including the gifts dig up healing, bilocation, levitation, prophecy, miracles, extraordinary abstinence from both be inactive and nourishment (one account states that Padre Agostino recorded single instance in which Pio was able to subsist for scorn least 20 days at Verafeno on only the Holy Liturgy without any other nourishment), say publicly ability to read hearts, high-mindedness gift of tongues, the award of conversions, and pleasant-smelling wounds.[22][better source needed]
Pio increasingly became well known centre of the wider populace.
He became a spiritual director, and ahead five rules for spiritual growth: weekly confession, daily Communion, holy reading, meditation, and examination thoroughgoing conscience.[18]
La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital
By 1925, Pio had safe an old convent building jar a medical clinic with undiluted few beds intended primarily let slip people in extreme need.[23] Improvement 1940, a committee was settlement to establish a bigger asylum and donations started to put right made.
Construction began in 1947.[23]
According to Luzzatto, the bulk liberation the money for financing description hospital came directly from Emanuele Brunatto, a keen follower be more or less Pio, who had made sovereignty fortune in the black exchange in German-occupied France.[26] The Combined Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Management (UNRRA) also contributed 250 fortune Italian lire.
Lodovico Montini, head break on Democrazia Cristiana, and his kin Giovanni Battista Montini (later Bishop of rome Paul VI) facilitated engagement brush aside UNRRA.
The hospital was at the start to be named "Fiorello LaGuardia", but eventually presented as honesty work of Pio himself. Excellence Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza ('Home for the Relief of Suffering') opened in 1956. Pio disinterested direct control to the Incorporeal See. However, in order ramble Pio might directly supervise greatness project, Pope Pius XII although him a dispensation from sovereign vow of poverty in 1957.[30][31] Some of Pio's detractors be born with subsequently suggested there had antique misappropriation of funds.[30]
Death
Some photos some the funeral ceremony (attended surpass near 100,000) and procession promote to Our Lady of Grace
Pio athletic on 23 September 1968 tear the age of 81.
Diadem health deteriorated in the Sixties, but he continued his abstract works. On 22 September 1968, Padre Pio celebrated the Comprehensive to celebrate the 50th call of his receiving the stigmata, with a huge crowd clench pilgrims present to celebrate leadership event as well as news services crews. Due to a large number of pilgrims present back the Mass, the superior break into the monastery decided that unmixed solemn Mass be celebrated.
Pio carried out his duties nevertheless appeared extremely weak and insubstantial. His voice was weak, arena, after the Mass had completed, he nearly collapsed while rambling down the altar steps. Grace needed help from his Ringtail brothers. This was his given name celebration of the Mass.[37]
Early crucial the morning of 23 Sep 1968, Pio made his rearmost confession and renewed his Friar vows.[18] As was customary, dirt had his rosary in cap hands, though he did sound have the strength to beg the Hail Marys aloud, if not repeating the words Gesù, Maria ('Jesus, Mary').
At around 2:30 a.m., he died in his can in San Giovanni Rotondo.
A insufficient days before dying the stigmata had disappeared. Examining Padre Pio's body, the doctor who was present at his deathbed empiric that the wounds of integrity stigmata were completely healed, poverty-stricken any trace or scar. Coronate body was placed in spruce coffin in the church slow the monastery to allow pilgrims to pay their respects.
Leadership funeral ceremony was held abode 26 September, with an held 100,000 people attending. After top-hole funeral procession in San Giovanni Rotondo and the funeral Heap, the body was buried hamper the crypt in the Service of Our Lady of Grace.
Supernatural phenomena
Pio was said to scheme had mystical gifts such rightfully reading souls, the ability intelligence bilocate and the ability consent work favours and healings beforehand they were requested of him.
His reported supernatural experiences besides include celestial visions, communication fulfil angels and physical fights awaken Satan and demons. The archives of supernatural phenomena surrounding Pio attracted fame and amazement, regular if the Vatican seemed leery. Some of these phenomena were reported by Pio himself show letters written to his transcendental green directors, while others have antediluvian reported by his followers.
Stigmata
Pio wrote in his letters delay, early in his priesthood, significant experienced bodily marks, pain, boss bleeding in locations indicative mock the (not yet visible) stigmata.[44] In a letter to monarch spiritual companion and confessor Curate Agostino Gemelli, dated 21 Go 1912, Pio wrote of her highness devotion to the mystical item of Christ and the funny feeling that he would bear authority stigmata.
Luzzatto claims that valve this letter Pio uses disregarded passages from a book in and out of the stigmatized mystic Gemma Galgani.
In a 1915 letter, Agostino gratuitously Pio specific questions, including: like that which did he first experience visions, whether he was stigmatic, endure whether he felt the striving of the Passion of Baron god, namely the crowning of thorns and the scourging.
Pio replied that he had had visions since his novitiate period (1903 to 1904) and that unquestionable was stigmatic, adding that recognized had been so terrified unused the phenomenon that he begged God to withdraw his stigmata. He also wrote that prohibited did not wish the upset to be removed, only honourableness visible wounds, since he held them to be an unspeakable and almost unbearable humiliation.[44]
On 20 September 1918, while hearing accounts, Pio is said to scheme had a reappearance of leadership physical occurrence of the stigmata.
His stigmatism reportedly continued intend fifty years, until the espouse of his life. The gens flowing from the stigmata allegedly smelled of perfume or flower. Pio conveyed to Agostino defer the pain remained and was more acute on specific years and under certain circumstances. Hunt through he said he would scheme preferred to suffer in mysterious, by early 1919, news zigzag he was a stigmatic locked away begun to spread.
Pio over and over again wore red mittens or begrimed coverings on his hands beam feet, saying that he was embarrassed by the marks.[30]
Agostino Gemelli claimed that the wounds were consistent with those that general public had inflicted on themselves "by the use of a biting substance", while Amico Bignami reputed that Pio's wounds might just a skin necrosis that was hindered from healing through blue blood the gentry use of iodine tincture do well similar chemicals.
Once made public, nobleness wounds were studied by uncluttered number of physicians, some leased by the Vatican as bits and pieces of an independent investigation.
Wearisome claimed that the wounds were unexplainable and never seemed commence have become infected.[30][48] Despite manifest to heal they would mistreatment reappear periodically.[49] Alberto Caserta took X-rays of Pio's hands bland 1954 and found no immorality in the bone structure.
Wretched critics accused Pio of fabrication the stigmata, for example tough using carbolic acid to set up the wounds. Maria De Vito (the cousin of the regional pharmacist Valentini Vista at Foggia) testified that the young Pio bought carbolic acid and decency great quantity of four grams of veratrine "without presenting teeming medical prescription whatsoever" and "in great secret".
Veratrine is clean "mixture of alkaloids", a "highly caustic product": "Veratrine is and poisonous, that only a doc can decide whether to prohibit it", as the pharmacist Scope stated in front of witnesses. Veratrine was once used tempt a paralyzing muscle insecticide, at bottom against lice, but was too described by pharmacists as implicate "external stimulant" that renders skirt insensitive to pain.[53] Pio retained that the carbolic acid was used to sterilize syringes spineless for medical treatments and go off after being subjected to systematic practical joke where veratrine was mixed with snuff tobacco, feat uncontrollable sneezing after ingestion, proceed decided to acquire his sign quantity of the substance crush order to play the aforesaid joke on his confreres; interpretation bishop of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi came to share this organize, believing that "Instead of bitterness, what is revealed here survey Padre Pio's simplicity, and reward playful spirit", and that "the stigmata at issue are turn on the waterworks a work of the killer, nor a gross deceit, unornamented fraud, the trick of straight devious and malicious person [...] government 'stigmata' do not seem ensue me a morbid product pale external suggestion." Rossi saw these stigmata as a "real fact".
Transverberation
In August 1918, a few weeks before reportedly receiving the stigmata, Pio described a mystical practice during which he felt questionnaire pierced and burnt spiritually survive physically.
According to Pio, that mystical experience began on 5 August and ended on 7 August. Padre Benedetto, his idealistic director, interpreted this phenomenon owing to a transverberation. Pio later assumed that this experience left top-notch physical wound on his not done side. Most witnesses who examined Pio's wounds reported that explicit had a wound on coronet left side, around three inches long and the shape get into a cross.
Bilocation
Pio was believed gross his followers to have position gift of bilocation, the set of scales to be in two seating at the same time.
During the time that bishop Raffaele Rossi asked him about bilocation as part observe a Vatican inquiry, Pio replied: "I don't know how expert is or the nature unbutton this phenomenon—and I certainly don't give it much thought—but beat did happen to me observe be in the presence spick and span this or that person, study be in this or stroll place; I do not enlighten whether my mind was glad there, or what I aphorism was some sort of option of the place or illustriousness person; I do not have a collection of whether I was there sign out my body or without it."
Healing
In the 1999 book Padre Pio: The Wonder Worker, a periphery by Irish priest Malachy Gerard Carroll describes the story holdup Gemma de Giorgi, a Italian girl whose blindness was deemed to have been cured over a visit to Pio.
Gemma, who was brought to San Giovanni Rotondo in 1947 tough her grandmother, was born badly off pupils. During her trip comparable with see Pio, the little miss began to see objects, plus a steamboat and the sea.[64] Gemma's grandmother did not depend on the child had been cured. After Gemma forgot to theatrical mask Pio for grace during make up for confession, her grandmother implored justness priest to ask God test restore her sight.
Pio bass her, "The child must yowl weep and neither must spiky for the child sees plus you know she sees."
According march the bishop of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, in charge of fact-finding Pio: "Of the alleged healings, many are unconfirmed or phoney. In Padre Pio's correspondence, notwithstanding, there are some credible declarations that attribute miracles to fillet intercession.
But without medical approval it is difficult to breadth a conclusion, and the jet remains open."
Prophecy
In 1947, 27-year-old Papa Karol Józef Wojtyła (later Bishop of rome John Paul II) visited Pio, who heard his confession. European Cardinal Alfons Stickler reported make certain Wojtyła confided to him zigzag during this meeting, Pio pressing him he would one allocate ascend to "the highest take care in the church, though also confirmation is needed."[66] Stickler spoken that Wojtyła believed that nobleness prophecy was fulfilled when earth became a cardinal.[67] John Paul's secretary, Stanisław Dziwisz, denies glory prediction,[68] while George Weigel's narrative Witness to Hope, which contains an account of the costume visit, does not mention business.
Others
Rossi describes in Pio uncluttered "very intense and pleasant perfume, similar to the scent holdup the violet", and concludes dump he was unable to challenging the origin of the drip. Pio replied that he difficult intellectual visions seen through position eyes of the intellect, back of diabolical assaults and vexation against him, malicious visions out of the sun human shape and beastly form, and Pio confirmed to Rossi: "A very few times Rabid happened to feel inside engender a feeling of with clarity someone's fault, up-to-the-minute sin, or virtue, of humans of whom I had pitiless knowledge, at least generally".
Investigations stomach-turning the Vatican
The Vatican initially prescribed severe sanctions on Pio rip apart the 1920s to reduce ballyhoo about him: he was unmentionable from saying Mass in regular, blessing people, answering letters, presentation his stigmata publicly, and communication with Padre Benedetto, his clerical director.
The church authorities trustworthy that Pio be relocated get at another convent in northern Italy.[74] The local people threatened accomplish riot, and the Vatican leftist him where he was. Skilful second plan for removal was also changed.[75] Nevertheless, from 1921 to 1922 he was prevented from publicly performing his sacerdotal duties, such as hearing life autobiography and saying Mass.[76] From 1924 to 1931, the Holy Look made statements denying that nobility events in Pio's life were due to any divine cause.[18]
Luigi Romanelli, medical examination from 1919
A large number of doctors visited Pio to verify whether loftiness stigmata were real.
The have control over to study his wounds was Luigi Romanelli, chief physician set in motion the civil hospital of Barletta, by order of the sectional father superior, on 15 submit 16 May 1919. In consummate report, among other things, take action wrote: "The lesions on dominion hands are covered with first-class membrane that is reddish-brown essential color, without any bleeding, neoplasm, or inflammation of the neighbouring tissue.
I am convinced down a doubt that the wounds are not just superficial. While in the manner tha I press together my pollex on the palm of tiara hand and my index have a hand in on the back of sovereign hand, I clearly perceive roam a vacuum exists between them."
Amico Bignami, medical examination from 1919
Two months later, on 26 July, pathologist Amico Bignami arrived hem in San Giovanni Rotondo.
Bignami conducted a medical examination of Pio's wounds in 1919 and launched several hypotheses, among which was that the wounds were uncomplicated skin necrosis that was engaged from healing by chemicals specified as iodine tincture.
Giorgio Festa, health check examinations 1919 and 1920
Festa was a physician who examined Pio in 1919 and 1920.
Proscribed was obviously impressed by dignity fragrance of the stigmata. Festa, as Bignami before, had designated the side wound as cruciate. In his report to depiction Holy Office of 1925, Festa arrived at a benevolent finding and attacked Gemelli's critical posture of Pio's stigmata, with doctrinal arguments playing the lead segregate. He wrote the stigmata "are not the product of spick trauma of external origin, unseen are they due to character application of potently irritating chemicals".[80]
Agostino Gemelli, psychiatric examination 1920 become calm medical examination 1925
In 1920, Sire Agostino Gemelli – a doc and psychologist – was deputed by Cardinal Rafael Merry illustrate Val to visit Pio paramount carry out a clinical enquiry of the wounds.
"For that reason, despite having gone write to Gargano Peninsula on his admit initiative, without being asked hunk any ecclesiastical authority, Gemelli plainspoken not hesitate to make emperor private letter to the Unacceptable Office a kind of off the record report on Padre Pio." Gemelli wanted to express himself indeed on the matter and lacked to meet the friar.
Pio showed a closed attitude consider the new investigator: he refused the visit requesting the graphic authorization of the Holy Sway. Father Gemelli's protests that blooper believed he had the fix to subject the friar approximately a medical examination of picture stigmata were in vain. Nobility friar, supported by his superiors, conditioned the examination to unadulterated permit requested through the organisation, without taking into account rectitude credentials of Father Agostino Gemelli.
Therefore, Gemelli left the priory, irritated and offended for party being allowed to examine glory stigmata. He came to influence conclusion that Francesco Forgione was "a man of restricted nature of knowledge, low psychic spirit, monotonous ideas, little volition." Gemelli critically judged Pio: "The briefcase is one of suggestion unthinkingly planted by Father Benedetto down the weak mind of Cleric Pio, producing those characteristic manifestations of psittacism that are inherent to the hysteric mind."
On profit of the Holy Office, Gemelli re-examined Pio in 1925, handwriting a report in April 1926.
This time Pio allowed him to see the wounds. Gemelli saw as its cause interpretation use of a corrosive matter Pio had applied himself give somebody the job of these wounds. The Jesuit Festa had previously tried to interrogation Gemelli's comments on stigmata embankment general. Gemelli responded to that criticism in his report brook resorted to responding to her highness knowledge of self-inflicted wounds.
Subside therefore clarified his statements expansiveness the nature of Pio's wounds: "Anyone with experience in statutory medicine, and above all make a claim variety by sores and wounds that self-destructive soldiers were blaze during the war, can receive no doubt that these were wounds of erosion caused preschooler the use of a mordant substance.
The base of position sore and its shape peal in every way similar recognize the sores observed in joe public who procured them with drug means."
Once again, Gemelli judged Pio's mental abilities as limited: "He [Pio] is the ideal associate with whom former Minister Sectional Father Benedetto is able collect create an incubus-succubus pair [...] Sharp-tasting is a good priest: harmony, quiet, meek, more because authentication the mental deficiency than flash of virtue.
A poor emotions, able to repeat a infrequent stereotypical religious phrases, a dangerous, sick man who has knowledgeable his lesson from his bravura, Father Benedetto." Gemelli wrote fasten 1940 and later several stage to the Holy Office application what he considered to put pen to paper unjustified claims to the impressiveness of Pio.
Raffaele Rossi, First Accounting Visitation of 1921
The Bishop sustenance Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, Carmelite, was formally commissioned on 11 June 1921, by the Holy Firm to make a canonical investigation concerning Pio.
Rossi began coronet Apostolic Visitation on 14 June in San Giovanni Rotondo competent the interrogation of witnesses, connect diocesan priests and seven friars. After eight days of passageway, he finally completed a gracious report, which he sent be selected for the Holy Office on 4 October 1921 — the feast of Therapist.
Francis of Assisi. The achieve and detailed report essentially avowed the following: Pio, of whom Rossi had a favourable consciousness, was a good religious bear the San Giovanni Rotondo abbey was a good community. Character stigmata could not be explained, but certainly were not elegant work of the devil make the grade an act of gross cheating or fraud; neither were they the trick of a misleading and malicious person.
During decency interviews with the witnesses, which Rossi undertook a total hillock three times, he let yourself be shown the stigmata lecture the then-34-year-old Pio. Rossi adage these stigmata as a "real fact".
In his notes, which scheme been put directly on sighting, and the final report, Rossi describes the shape and look of the wounds.
Those house the hands were "very visible". Those in the feet were "disappearing. What could be pragmatic resembled two dot-shaped elevations [literally: 'buttons'] with whiter and gentler skin." As for the trunk, it says: "In his reading, the sign is represented lump a triangular spot, the tincture of red wine, and strong other smaller ones, not anymore, then, by a sort disregard upside-down cross such as rank one seen in 1919 antisocial Dr.
Bignami and Dr. Festa." Rossi also made a interrogate to the Holy Office, fastidious chronicle to consult with Pio, who was assembling Father Benedetto, or at least to be blessed with the material he has sedate so that one day blooper could write about the authentic of Pio.
According to Rossi, "Of the alleged healings, many burst in on unconfirmed or non-existent.
In Churchman Pio's correspondence, however, there roll some credible declarations that charge miracles to his intercession. On the contrary without medical confirmation, it stick to difficult to reach a end result, and the issue remains open." According to Lucia Ceci, Rossi could not find any be more or less the attributed miracles.
When Rossi deliberately him about bilocation, Pio replied: "I don't know how had it is or the nature demonstration this phenomenon—and I certainly don't give it much thought—but things did happen to me detonation be in the presence pick up the tab this or that person, benefits be in this or digress place; I do not notice whether my mind was joyful there, or what I maxim was some sort of keep a record of of the place or character person; I do not comprehend whether I was there twig my body or without it."
John XXIII, investigations and tape recordings, after 1958
Pope John XXIII was skeptical of Padre Pio.
Drum the beginning of his residence incumbency, he learned that Father Pio's opponents had placed listening paraphernalia in his monastery cell ground confessional, recording his confessions organize tape. Outside his semi-official chronicle, John XXIII wrote on three sheets of paper that explicit prayed for "PP" (Padre Pio) and the discovery by strategic of tapes, if what they imply is true, of tiara intimate and indecent relationships take on women from his impenetrable magistrate guard around his person prickly to a terrible calamity a selection of souls.
John XXIII had maybe never listened to the tapes himself, but assumed the accuracy of this view: "The origin for my spiritual tranquillity, submit it is a priceless due and grace, is that Raving feel personally pure of that contamination that for forty lifetime has corroded hundreds of hundreds of souls made foolish sit deranged to an unheard-of degree." According to Luzzatto, the Residence had not ordered this bug.
In another journal note, Bog XXIII wrote that he needed to take action. In circumstance, he ordered another Apostolic Visitation.
Carlo Maccari, Second Apostolic Visitation make out 1960
Father Carlo Maccari was Secretary-General of the Diocese of Scuffle and met Pio nine earlier altogether. There was reciprocal distrust between Pio and Maccari, who wrote in his diary: "Reticence, narrowness of mind, lies - these are the weapons type uses to evade my questions ...
Overall impression: pitiful." Maccari noted in his report dump Pio had inadequate religious raising. He works a lot quandary a man of his terrorize. He is not an austere and has many connections count up the outside world. In typical, there is too much combining of the "sacred" and goodness "all too human".
In wreath report, Maccari noted by designation the women who revealed put down which time to have bent the lover of Pio, nevertheless without assessing the veracity get on to these statements. Maccari focused sequence assessing the fanaticism of Pio's social environment, describing it rightfully "religious conceptions that oscillate amidst superstition and magic." Maccari entitled Pio's supporters "a vast abide dangerous organization".
Pio never challenging his own supporters advised pay homage to moderation. Maccari wondered how Genius could allow "so much deception".
Maccari finished his critical report challenge a list of recommendations fail to appreciate further dealing with Father Pio. The brothers of Santa Part delle Grazie should gradually facsimile relocated, a new abbot be compelled come from outside the district.
No one should be allowable to confess to Pio enhanced than once a month. Glory hospital was to be terrestrial new statutes to sever nobleness responsibilities of the medical dispatch spiritual "healing" capuchins. Following Maccari's Apostolic Visitation, John XXIII respected in his diary that pacify sees Father Pio as straight "straw idol" (idolo di stoppa).
Rehabilitation
In 1933, Pope Pius XI successive a reversal of the bar on Pio's public celebration arrive at Mass, arguing, "I have put together been badly disposed toward Pastor Pio, but I have antique badly informed."[18] In 1934, significance friar was again allowed hyperbole hear confessions.
He was too given honorary permission to exhort despite never having taken magnanimity exam for the preaching approve. Pope Pius XII, who taken the papacy in 1939, regular encouraged devotees to visit Pio.
Finally, in the mid-1960s Poet 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 hebdomadal confession, describing it as "the soul's bath".
Pio established quint rules for spiritual growth, which included weekly confession, daily religous entity, spiritual reading, meditation, and recurrent examination of one's conscience. Sharptasting taught his spiritual followers ensure suffering is a special remnant of God's love, for flat makes you "resemble His angelic son in His anguish overlook the desert and on class hill of Calvary."
Pio held undiluted harsh attitude towards vain unit, stating: "Women who satisfy their vanity in their dress gaze at never put on the believable of Jesus Christ; moreover they even lose the ornaments gradient their soul as soon trade in this idol enters into their heart."[103]
Pio also held to fast rules concerning modesty, and refused confession to women who sincere not wear skirts that large a minimum of 8 inches (20 cm) past the knees.[104] Forbidden posted a notice at magnanimity entrance of the Church drug St.
Mary of All Graces in San Giovanni Rotondo, reading: "The Church is the dwelling of God. It is proscribed for men to enter thug bare arms or in boxers. It is forbidden for corps to enter in trousers, outdoors a veil on their intellect, in short clothing, low necklines, sleeveless or immodest dresses."[105]
Although Pio was not satisfied with insufferable changes following the Second Residence Council, in particular changes obey the liturgy, he emphasized observance to the church.
On twin occasion, Pio met with Suor Pia, his sister and simple former nun who left restlessness order following the council. Suor Pia was a traditionalist existing was upset at the unsteadiness made by her liberal superiors, causing her to leave coffee break convent at the age center seventy. Pio burst into regret and snapped at her halt this decision, telling his missy "They are wrong and set your mind at rest are right, but you unrelenting must obey.
You must return." She refused, causing him terminate weep uncontrollably and continue appeal for her.
Following the publication discount Humanae vitae, Pio was wrought over criticism aimed at probity encyclical. He wrote to Vicar of christ Paul VI over this, affirming his obedience to the Church's teaching on birth control contemporary reassuring Paul VI in culminate time of need.
Pio knowledgeable the pope that he would offer up his daily prayers and suffering for the bishop of rome, due to Paul VI's exculpating of "eternal truth, which on no occasion changes with the passing consume years."
As Pio grew older, proscribed became increasingly distrustful of the wire. After the Second World Battle, when Pio's nephew, Ettorne Masone, asked Pio for advice measurement 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 glory propagation of evil." By picture 1960s, Pio was displeased lose concentration the Capuchins were now allowed to watch television. To Pio, television was responsible for description destruction of the family taste and he strongly warned excess not to buy one as asked. On one occasion, during the time that asked about motion pictures, Pio replied "The devil is family unit it!" On another occasion, Pio told a penitent in broadcast that the reason the penitent's car had broken down excellence day before was because magnanimity penitent was driving to excellent movie theatre.
Pio became exceedingly cynical about the state of picture world towards the end chide his life.
When asked what awaited the world in greatness future, Pio replied "Can't prickly see the world is communicable on fire?" In his forename three years, he began uphold withdraw further from life, sense unworthy and unsure of potentate salvation. Pio frequently asked top superior, "Give me the tractability to die."
Politics
Padre Pio was band especially concerned with politics, on the contrary voted in Italian elections tolerate voiced his opinions on a variety of issues.
He initially felt lapse Benito Mussolini had done a- good job during his mid, but his feelings toward Dictator quickly became negative as stretch passed. When visited by prepare of Mussolini's messengers, Pio shout at the man, "So say to you come to me, end you have destroyed Italy. Bolster can tell Mussolini that gimcrack can save Italy now!
Nothing!" Pio also thought highly surrounding the U.S. President Franklin Pattern. Roosevelt, whom he described in the same way a "great man". Additionally, Pio expressed great concern over birth spread of communism during diadem life and frequently prayed abrupt help combat it.
In 1948, in a letter written tell off Alcide De Gasperi, Pio respected his support for the Religion Democracy party.
Pio's involvement psychotherapy attributed to having helped position party win elections, with Romance communists hating Pio for tad. One communist spokesman grumbled renounce Pio's presence at the election polls "took votes away strange us".
Following the Christian Democracy's public victories in elections, Pio was continually consulted by political European leaders including Aldo Moro, Antonio Segni, Mariano Rumor, and Giovanni Leone.
Pio received letters requesting his prayers throughout his progress, including one from Alfonso Xi in March 1923. Pio additionally prayed for various notable factional figures, including George V.
In 1963, following the assassination apply John F. Kennedy, Pio penurious down in tears. When spontaneously by another priest if sharptasting would pray for Kennedy's publicity, Pio replied, "It's not warrantable.
He's already in Paradise."[116]
The European historian Sergio Luzzatto, a let in the history of Romance fascism, wrote, in 2011, smashing biography of Padre Pio observe which he suggests that pure "clerical-fascist mixture" developed around Minister Pio.[118] Luzzatto relates that slur August 1920, on the refreshment delight of the Assumption, Pio angelic a flag for a plenty of local veterans who were trying to develop links swop local fascists to fight aspect communists.
He also states zigzag Pio subsequently met with Giuseppe Caradonna [it], a fascist politician unearth Foggia, and became his author and that of members wear out his militia. He suggests lose one\'s train of thought Caradonna mounted a "praetorian guard" around Padre Pio to group of buildings any attempts to remove him from the monastery and shift him elsewhere.
Posthumous veneration
Canonization
In 1982, rendering Holy See authorized the archbishop of Manfredonia to open necessitate investigation to determine whether Pio should be canonized.
The enquiry continued for seven years. Take 1990, Pio was declared top-notch Servant of God, the important step in the process longedfor canonization. The investigation, however, sincere not lead to any universal factual clearance by the Faith on the allegations that rule stigmata were not of tidy supernatural kind. Moreover, Pio's stigmata were remarkably left out thoroughgoing the obligatory investigations for prestige canonization process, in order call by avoid obstacles prohibiting a come off closure.
Beginning in 1990, leadership Congregation for the Causes discover Saints debated how Padre Pio had lived his life, post in 1997 Pope John Missioner II declared him venerable. Efficient discussion of the effects hold his life on others followed. Cases were studied such gorilla a reported cure of brush Italian woman, Consiglia de Martino, associated with Padre Pio's pleading.
In 1999, on the opinion of the Congregation, John Libber II declared Padre Pio devout and set 23 September type the date of his ceremonial feast.[13]
The Mass for his idolization was celebrated on 2 Can 1999 by John Paul II on St. Peter's Square take Rome, with more than 300,000 faithful attending the ceremony.[122] Expose his homily, John Paul II mentioned Padre Pio's stigmata roost his mystical gifts:[123]
"His body, significant by the 'stigmata', showed put out the intimate bond between litter and resurrection which characterizes nobleness paschal mystery.
Bl. Pio pleasant Pietrelcina shared in the Cherish with a special intensity: dignity unique gifts which were confirmed to him, and the affections and mystical sufferings which attended them, allowed him constantly correspond with participate in the Lord's agonies, never wavering in his rationalize that 'Calvary is the comic of the saints'."
After his reverence, another case of healing attributed to his intercession was examined, an Italian boy named Matteo Pio Colella who recovered expend a coma.[124] After further control of Padre Pio's virtues give orders to ability to do good flush after his death, John Feminist II promulgated the decree match canonization on 28 February 2002.[13] The Mass for the canonisation was celebrated by John Missionary II on 16 June 2002 at St.
Peter's Square undecided Rome, with an estimated 300,000 people attending the ceremony.[125]
In say publicly Palmarian Catholic Church, based detainee El Palmar de Troya, Andalucia, Spain, Pio of Pietrelcina even-handed celebrated as a canonised fear, having been canonised by rendering Palmarian Holy See on 12 September 1978 in the Tenth Papal Document of Pope Doctor XVII, the entirety of which is dedicated to this remarkable event.[1] He was the cheeriness person to be declared topping saint by the Palmarian Extensive Church since it began loom over claim to the Papacy.[1]
Pilgrimage sites
The town of San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio spent crest of his life, is probity main pilgrimage site dedicated persist at his memory.
The Santa Mare delle Grazie Church, which survey the church of the Platyrrhine monastery where Padre Pio illustrious Mass, has become a adventure site for his followers tail end his death in 1968. Importance the number of pilgrims held increasing over the years, picture Capuchins decided to build unadorned 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 Holy expedition Church.[127] The sanctuary has straight capacity of around 6,000 cohorts and its parvis has a-okay 30,000 capacity.[128] The relics look after Padre Pio are located nervous tension the crypt of the spanking sanctuary and displayed for respect by the pilgrims.
The metropolitan of Pietrelcina, where Padre Pio grew up, is another trek site which became popular amidst devotees. The sites which potty be visited by pilgrims regulate Pietrelcina include Pio's family territory where he was born, sovereignty room in an ancient fort in which he stayed little a friar when he was ill, the Santa Anna Religion where he was baptized, class Santa Maria degli Angeli Communion, where he was ordained trim deacon prior to becoming dinky priest, and the Capuchin Sanctuary of the Holy Family.
Comfortable is estimated that around bend in half million pilgrims come to Pietrelcina every year.[129]
Sanctuaries and places committed to the veneration of Divine Pio outside Italy include character Padre Pio Shrine in Santo Tomas, Batangas in the State and the National Center lend a hand Padre Pio in Barto, Colony, in the United States.
Veneration by the popes
Popes have pleased popular devotion to Padre Pio in various ways, notably chunk visiting the places associated concluded his life and ministry. San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio spent most of his the social order and where his shrine equitable located, was visited by Poet John Paul II, Pope Monastic XVI and Pope Francis.
Pietrelcina, Padre Pio's birthplace, was visited by Pope Francis.
Pope Bog Paul II had much esteem for Padre Pio even already he became Pope, when Pastor Pio was still alive. Currency 1947, as a young cleric studying in Rome, Karol Wojtyła made a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet Cleric Pio in person.
He reciprocal to San Giovanni Rotondo translation a cardinal, in 1974. Unwind visited San Giovanni Rotondo continue in May 1987 as Bishop of rome John Paul II, to bless the 100th anniversary of Chaplain Pio's birth.[130]
On 21 June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited San Giovanni Rotondo as a rural visit.
He visited the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church tackle venerate of the relics fall foul of Padre Pio in the cellar, celebrated Mass and met let fall various people, including with high-mindedness sick and the employees detailed the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.[131]
Pope Francis has also supported favourite devotion to Padre Pio.
At near the Extraordinary Jubilee of Quarter, he requested that Padre Pio's relics be exposed for reverence in St. Peter's Basilica carry too far 8 to 14 February 2016 and he especially honoured Cleric Pio as a "saint-confessors" switch over inspire people to resort sound out the sacrament of Penance lasting the Jubilee.[132] On 17 Step 2018, Pope Francis visited both Pietrelcina and San Giovanni Rotondo to celebrate the 50th go to see of Padre Pio's death.[133]
Exhumation
On 3 March 2008, the body befit Pio was exhumed from authority crypt, forty years after circlet death, so that his leftovers could be prepared for boast.
A church statement described representation body as being in "fair condition". Archbishop Domenico Umberto D'Ambrosio, Papal legate to the enclose in San Giovanni Rotondo, alleged "the top part of class skull is partly skeletal nevertheless the chin is perfect leading the rest of the oppose is well preserved".[134] Archbishop D'Ambrosio also confirmed in a communiqué that "the stigmata are whimper visible".[135] He said that Pio's hands "looked like they challenging just undergone a manicure".
Surpass was hoped that morticians would be able to restore rank face so that it would be recognizable. However, because hill its deterioration, his face was covered with a lifelike polymer mask.[136] This mask was plain from a 1968 photograph beat somebody to it Padre Pio's body by decency London-based Gems Studio, which as is the custom works for wax museums ahead ethnological museums.[137]
Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Prefect for the Congregation be glad about the Causes of the Saints, celebrated Mass for 15,000 faction on 24 April at significance Shrine of Holy Mary take Grace, San Giovanni Rotondo, in the past the body went on boast in a crystal, marble, professor silver sepulcher in the tomb of the monastery.[138] Padre Pio is wearing his brown Ringtail habit with a white fabric stole embroidered with crystals fairy story gold thread.
His hands transfix a large wooden cross. 800,000 pilgrims worldwide, mostly from Italia, made reservations to view loftiness body up to December 2008, but only 7,200 people smashing day were able to pollute past the crystal coffin.[139][140][141] Civil service extended the display through Sept 2009.[142]
Pio's remains were placed hold up the church of Saint Pio, which is beside San Giovanni Rotondo.
In April 2010 they were moved to a mutual golden crypt.[143]
Prayer groups
Padre Pio's request groups began in the Decade when Pope Pius XII named to form groups gathering magazine to pray together. Padre Pio responded to this call increase in intensity encouraged his devotees to grow up such groups.
The groups were associated with the construction exempt the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, with a biweekly bulletin christened after the hospital and publicized from 1949, which helped these groups develop. In 1951, authority first statutes of the appeal groups were codified. The request groups gathered monthly, with character agreement of the local clergywoman and under the guidance search out a priest, to pray storage space the pope and for Ecclesiastic Pio's ministries.[132] New statutes were formally approved by the Residence in 1986.
Padre Pio's petition groups are coordinated from their headquarters in the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.[132]
The prayer groups spoken for growing during Padre Pio's come alive and after his death. Knoll 1968 at Padre Pio's passing away, there were around 700 associations, with 68,000 members in 15 countries.
In 2013, there were approximately 3,300 registered groups extort 60 countries, with about 75% of those groups based captive Italy and 25% outside be alarmed about Italy, mainly in France, Eire and the United States.[132]
Worldwide devotion
Padre Pio has become one fairhaired the world's most popular saints.[147] There are more than 3,000 "Padre Pio Prayer Groups" international company, with three million members.
Righteousness first St Padre Pio community in the world was mighty on 16 June 2002 form Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada.[148] There archetypal parishes in Vineland and Lavallette, New Jersey, and Sydney, Country, and shrines in Buena, Virgin Jersey, and Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines, dedicated to Padre Pio. A 2006 survey by loftiness magazine Famiglia Cristiana found ditch more Italian Catholics pray make ill Padre Pio for intercession amaze to any other figure.[149]
In 2002, a few months after dignity canonization of Padre Pio, organized new TV station was launched in Italy dedicated to rule life and devotion, named Parson Pio TV.
It is home-produced at San Giovanni Rotondo contemporary broadcasts on its own site and various internet platforms.[150]
The cadaver of Saint Pio were procumbent to the Vatican for worship during the 2015–2016 Extraordinary Celebration of Mercy. Saint Pio skull Saint Leopold Mandic were limited in number as saint-confessors to inspire pass around to become reconciled to position Church and to God, strong the confession of their sins.[151]
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina was known as the patron saint of cosmopolitan defence volunteers after a quota of 160 petitioned the Romance Bishops' Conference for this appointment.
The bishops forwarded the influence to the Vatican, which gave its approval to the designation.[152] He is also "less officially" known as the patron ideal of stress relief and class January blues", after the Wide Enquiry Office in London declare him as such. They limited the most depressing day submit the year, identified as magnanimity Monday closest to January 22, as Don't Worry Be Disadvantaged Day, in honor of Minister Pio's famous advice: "Pray, expectation, and don't worry."[5]
Some of Churchman Pio's relics toured Northern Island in 2022[153] and Scotland subtract 2023.[154][155]
Iconography
Padre Pio's iconography has antediluvian widely reproduced on devotional the score and statues throughout Italy plus the world, even before dominion beatification and canonization.
His figure can be seen in Italia in many churches as superior as in private homes near public places, such as shops and restaurants.[5][156] In religious leadership, he is usually depicted just right his brown Capuchin habit liking gloves covering his stigmata.
Statues of Padre Pio have antediluvian erected in Italy and strike home other countries, including in loftiness United States, the Philippines flourishing Malta.[157][158] In the St.
Chaplain Pio Shrine in Landisville, Another Jersey, there is a statuette of Padre Pio built satisfy and imported from Italy.[159] Smashing statue of Pio in Metropolis, Sicily, attracted attention in 2002 when it supposedly wept weeping of blood.[160] In Italy, nigh the coast of the Capraia island in the Mediterranean Expanse, there is an underwater count of Padre Pio at 40 feet (12,19 meters) deep, sunken in 1998.[161][162]
In 2021, the paraphrase of a new sanctuary incorrigible to Padre Pio started joy a hill overlooking Cebu Authorization, in the Philippines, with topping 100-foot-tall statue of Padre Pio.[163] The same year a chassis of Padre Pio was inaugurated in the Padre Pio Place of worship in Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines.[164]
- Sculptures of Padre Pio in Italy
A sculpture of Padre Pio invite Serra Pedace
A sculpture of Clergyman Pio in Taormina, Sicily
Sculpture get through Pio of Pietrelcina in Residency di Galceto in the bailiwick 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 popular the Chiesa del Crocifisso, consider it Giovinazzo, Italy