Padre Pio Today

The miracles of Padre Pio today

 The tomb of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina has become a great place of pilgrimage today, there are seven million pilgrims a year, more than in Lourdes. The body of the saint is permanently on display in the church of San Giovanni Rotondo, where the Capuchin brother lived from 1916 until his death in 1968.

Science does not currently explain the natural preservation of his body fifty years after his death. In addition, it still regularly spreads a pleasant and penetrating fragrance. The miracles continue to take place, there are many testimonies of graces received (miraculous healing and conversions).

Everyone can entrust their intentions to Padre Pio by praying this prayer.

Pope Francis and Padre Pio

 Pope Francis has long attached importance to the figure of Padre Pio. Already in his diocese of Buenos Aires, he promoted the establishment of prayer groups founded by Padre Pio.

During the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015-2016, Pope Francis wanted the remains of the saint to be displayed in St Peter's Basilica. The body was placed in a transparent box and escorted to Rome by thousands of worshipers and policemen.

In March 2018, for the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of Padre Pio's stigmata and the fiftieth anniversary of his death, Pope Francis wished to go on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of the saint. He went to the two major places in the life of the Capuchin brother, his native village: Pietrelcina, and the convent where he spent fifty years: San Giovanni Rotondo. The pope also placed himself under the protection of the saint.

The Spiritual Son of Padre Pio today

Learning to live according to Padre Pio's spirituality is within everyone's reach thanks to the many letters he wrote to his spiritual sons and daughters, words demonstrating a great wealth of advice for any difficult situation.  

Even today, it is possible to become the spiritual son or daughter of Padre Pio. One must only put oneself in the required spiritual disposition. This is precisely what the Capuchin Fathers of San Giovanni Rotondo propose by giving us the conditions (in the form of a leaflet) to enter the spiritual family of Padre Pio. To those who faithfully follow this path, the Capuchins promise their daily prayer to the tomb of Padre Pio and the blessing of the Lord.

Here are the conditions:

1.       Live the divine grace intensely.

2.     Witness one's faith by word and deed, in an authentically Christian life.

3.       To have the firm desire to place oneself under the protection of Saint Padre Pio, and to want to enjoy the fruits of his prayer and his works.

4.       To imitate the venerable Father in his virtues, especially in his love for Jesus crucified, the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin, for the Pope and the whole Church.

5.       Recite the rosary every day, like Padre Pio.

6.       Every Sunday and at the feasts of precept, take part in Holy Mass.

7.       Be animated by a spirit of sincere charity towards one's neighbor.