✝️ San Giovanni Rotondo (Padre Pio Shrine)
Italy
About This Sacred Site
San Giovanni Rotondo in Puglia is the site where Padre Pio (St. Pio of Pietrelcina, 1887-1968) lived for over 50 years at the Capuchin friary. The Capuchin friar bore the stigmata (the five wounds of Christ) for 50 years and was renowned for miracles, bilocation, and the ability to read souls during confession. Today the town is one of Italy's most visited pilgrimage destinations. The massive Church of San Pio da Pietrelcina, designed by Renzo Piano and completed in 2004, can accommodate 7,000 worshippers and houses Padre Pio's body in a crystal coffin.
Key Facts
- •Padre Pio bore the stigmata for 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968
- •He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002
- •The Renzo Piano-designed church (2004) can hold 7,000 worshippers
- •Padre Pio heard confessions for up to 16 hours a day and is said to have had the gift of bilocation
- •The town receives more pilgrims than any site in Italy except the Vatican
Location
Coordinates: 41.7068, 15.7230
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