Religious Leader. The Stigmata Saint, the 20th century's most remarkable Capuchin monk, Francesco Forgione was born into a simple farming family. He was a sickly child, a condition that followed him to adulthood. He became a Capuchin monk in 1907, a branch of the Franciscan order, and was given the name Pio (Italian for Pius). OFM Cap stands for Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. He was ordained a priest on August 10, 1910, at age 22. Upon discharge from the Italian army in 1916, due to bad health, he was made director of studies at the seminary in San Giovanni Rotondo where he remained the rest of his life. His fame was launched because on September 20, 1918, he received the stigmata - wounds on his hands, feet, and side similar to those of Jesus on the cross. He began to receive pilgrims from all over the world, transforming San Giovanni Rotondo into a world-famous pilgrimage center. He lived in a tiny crypt especially constructed for him where a small window allowed him to visit. In 1947, a young priest journeyed from Poland to confess before Padre Pio, who would hear confessions for hours. That priest was to become Pope John Paul II. Padre Pio died peacefully in his sleep. His funeral was attended by over 100,000. On June 16, 2002, before 200,000 in attendance, Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio, proclaiming him a saint. San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, a city of 27,000, has replaced Lourdes, France, as Europe's premier pilgrimage site with 7.5 million visitors in 2002. Padre Pio souvenirs have become the largest-selling keepsake items in Europe.
Religious Leader. The Stigmata Saint, the 20th century's most remarkable Capuchin monk, Francesco Forgione was born into a simple farming family. He was a sickly child, a condition that followed him to adulthood. He became a Capuchin monk in 1907, a branch of the Franciscan order, and was given the name Pio (Italian for Pius). OFM Cap stands for Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. He was ordained a priest on August 10, 1910, at age 22. Upon discharge from the Italian army in 1916, due to bad health, he was made director of studies at the seminary in San Giovanni Rotondo where he remained the rest of his life. His fame was launched because on September 20, 1918, he received the stigmata - wounds on his hands, feet, and side similar to those of Jesus on the cross. He began to receive pilgrims from all over the world, transforming San Giovanni Rotondo into a world-famous pilgrimage center. He lived in a tiny crypt especially constructed for him where a small window allowed him to visit. In 1947, a young priest journeyed from Poland to confess before Padre Pio, who would hear confessions for hours. That priest was to become Pope John Paul II. Padre Pio died peacefully in his sleep. His funeral was attended by over 100,000. On June 16, 2002, before 200,000 in attendance, Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio, proclaiming him a saint. San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, a city of 27,000, has replaced Lourdes, France, as Europe's premier pilgrimage site with 7.5 million visitors in 2002. Padre Pio souvenirs have become the largest-selling keepsake items in Europe.
Bio by: Paul S.
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