Have you ever heard of San Giovanni Rotondo? This Italian town is famous thanks to Padre Pio, the Capuchin friar whose life was surrounded by mysticism and miracles. What is the story of one of the most renowned saints, and what can you see in San Giovanni Rotondo?
Padre Pio: A Life Marked by Stigmata and Miracles
Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione, was an Italian Capuchin priest born in 1887 in Pietrelcina. His life was marked by deep faith, prayer, and an ascetic lifestyle. From a young age, he experienced mystical visions and aspired to the priesthood. In 1910, he was ordained a priest, and eight years later, in September 1918, stigmata—wounds of Jesus Christ—appeared on his body. These stigmata, which bled and caused him great pain, remained with him until his death in 1968.
Padre Pio became famous not only for his stigmata but also for numerous miracles attributed to him. One of the most notable was the healing of Gemma di Giorgi, a blind girl who regained her sight after praying to Padre Pio. This miracle was thoroughly documented and contributed to his canonization in 2002.
However, Padre Pio was not just “the saint with the stigmata.” In addition to the visible wounds of Christ, he was associated with other inexplicable phenomena. Many people testified that he could be in two places at once—a phenomenon known as bilocation. Even more remarkable was his ability to see into people’s hearts, revealing hidden secrets and helping them achieve sincere repentance and return to God. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint, and his story continues to inspire Christians worldwide.
San Giovanni Rotondo – Following in Padre Pio’s Footsteps
San Giovanni Rotondo, a town in southern Italy, is inseparably linked to the life of Saint Padre Pio. It was here that the Capuchin friar with the gift of stigmata and healing spent most of his life, drawing crowds of faithful visitors. Today, San Giovanni Rotondo is a major pilgrimage site where you can visit the Sanctuary of Padre Pio with its church and crypt, the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital he founded, and the Capuchin monastery where he lived.
Among the modern architectural highlights is the Way of the Cross by Francesco Messina, consisting of 13 life-sized bronze sculptures. Located at the foot of Monte Castellana, it exudes grandeur and symbolic meaning. In addition to religious landmarks, San Giovanni Rotondo also offers charming streets in its historic center and beautiful surrounding nature, perfect for walks. Visiting San Giovanni Rotondo is an experience for both the soul and the body.