St. Padre Pio

Feast Day: 23 September
Patronage: Civil defense volunteers, Catholic adolescents, and people suffering from various illnesses; widely invoked by the faithful for healing and spiritual protection.

Quick Facts

• Born: 25 May 1887 – Pietrelcina, Italy

• Died: 23 September 1968 – San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

• Birth Name: Francesco Forgione

• Title: Capuchin Friar and Priest

• Known For: The stigmata, prayer, confession, and spiritual guidance

Life Summary

St. Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione, was an Italian Capuchin Franciscan friar and priest who became one of the most beloved saints of the 20th century. From a young age, he had a deep love for God and desired to dedicate his life to prayer and service. He entered the Capuchin Friars and was ordained a priest in 1910.

Padre Pio became especially known for the stigmata, the wounds resembling those of Christ’s Passion, which appeared on his body in 1918. He bore these wounds for many years with humility and devotion. His life was marked by intense prayer, the celebration of the Eucharist, frequent confession, and a deep compassion for those who were suffering.

He spent much of his ministry at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie in San Giovanni Rotondo, where thousands of people came to attend his Mass, seek confession, and ask for spiritual counsel. He also helped establish the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home for the Relief of Suffering), a major hospital dedicated to caring for the sick.

Padre Pio encouraged people to place their trust in God and to persevere in prayer. He died on 23 September 1968 and was canonized by Pope St. John Paul II on 16 June 2002.

His life continues to inspire Catholics to embrace prayer, repentance, suffering with faith, love of the Eucharist, and trust in God’s mercy.

Famous Quote

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” — St. Padre Pio

Pio of Pietrelcina (born Francesco Forgione; 25 May 1887 – 23 September 1968), widely known as Padre Pio (Italian for “Father Pius“, 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 his feast day is celebrated on 23 September.^[2]

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. 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, devotion to Padre Pio has continued to spread among believers worldwide, and especially throughout the Mezzogiorno. He was beatified on 2 May 1999 and canonised on 16 June 2002 by Pope John Paul II.^[3] His relics are exposed in the sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, next to the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo, which is now a major pilgrimage site.^[4] His legacy also includes the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home for the Relief of Suffering), a hospital built near the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo.^[5]