St. Padre Pio

People waiting to go inside the Church to see the remains of Saint Padre Pio who was a sought after soul in life and in now in death.

Saint Padre Pio is displayed in the Madonna delle Grazie Church in San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia province, in southern Italy (this photo taken on 24 April 2008). Tens of thousands of pilgrims pilgramaged to San Giovanni on April 24th to witness the first public display of Saint Padre Pio's exhumed remains. Saint Padre Pio who died 40 years ago spent most of his days in the Confessional, hearing confessions from pilgrims traveling from all parts of the world to seek his counsel. One of his gifts was to be able to read hearts. He is also famous for his stigmata. Saint Padre Pio continues to be widely venerated by many Catholics worldwide.

(A special thanks to Mary Catherine in Kansas for pointing me to the photos)