Portal:Christianity/Selected biography/December 2006

  Francesco Forgione (May 25, 1887 – September 23, 1968), canonized Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian priest. He took the name Pio when he joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, and was popularly known as Padre Pio after his ordination to the priesthood. He became famous not only for his piety, but for stories of supernatural events which became attached to him. Among these were his stigmata wounds. The monk's life was one of suffering. He came to believe that the love of God was inseparable from suffering. He considered that suffering all things for the sake of God was the way for the soul to reach God. It is considered that the soul of Padre Pio was purified by the sufferings he bore. Padre Pio acquired fame as a miracle worker, and like John Vianney, was purported to have the gift of reading souls. He is alleged to have been able to bilocate according to eyewitness accounts. Ultimately, Pope John Paul II canonised Padre Pio on 16 June, 2002.

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