Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

06/16/2026

PADRE PIO WAS CANONIZED ON THIS DAY, 24 YEARS AGO

Twenty-four years ago, a half million people crowded into St. Peter’s Square as Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio, born as Francesco Forgione, calling his life a witness to the “glory of the cross.”

The pontiff said that the life and mission of the Capuchin friar “proves that difficulties and sorrows, if accepted out of love, can be transformed into a privileged way of holiness, which opens onto the horizons of a greater good, known only to the Lord. Is it not, precisely, the ‘glory of the cross’ that shines above all in Padre Pio? How timely is the spirituality of the cross lived by the humble Capuchin of Pietrelcina. Our time needs to rediscover the value of the cross in order to open the heart to hope."

Padre Pio was known for his suffering, humility, and miracles. He was born in Pietrelcina, Italy, in 1887 and felt inspired to become a Capuchin friar by the age of ten. Shortly after making his solemn vows as a Franciscan and receiving his priestly ordination in 1910, he received the stigmata—Christ’s wounds present in his own flesh.

On the feast of the Assumption in 1914, Father Pio wrote: “In order to succeed in reaching our ultimate end we must follow the divine Head, who does not wish to lead the chosen soul on any way other than the one he followed; by that, I say, of abnegation and the Cross.”

Padre Pio’s reputation for holiness and ministry in the confessional began to attract huge crowds to San Giovanni Rotondo during his lifetime. He was known for his patient suffering, fervent prayer, and compassionate spiritual guidance.

Among those who traveled to San Giovanni Rotondo to have his confession heard by famous padre was a young Father Karol Wojtyła, who spent nearly a week in 1947 in the small town with the Franciscan friar. He later returned to the town as a cardinal in 1974 (after Padre Pio’s death in 1968 and again as Pope John Paul II in 1987.

At the canonization in 2002, John Paul II expressed hope that Padre Pio’s example would encourage priests to offer the Sacrament of Penance “with joy and zeal.”

“Prayer and charity, this is the most concrete synthesis of Padre Pioʼs teaching, which today is offered to everyone,” John Paul II said.

Today, we invite our readers to join us as we celebrate this celestial anniversary of Padre Pio’s canonization as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, and if you are able, to support our mission of helping those less fortunate in the name of this modern saint.

https://saintpioofpietrelcina.org/donate

05/25/2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAINT PIO OF PIETRELCINA!

One hundred thirty-nine years ago, on May 25, 1887, in the beautiful town of Pietrelcina, Italy, Francesco Forgione was born. This baby would come to be known as Padre Pio throughout the world.

We ask you to unite with us in celebrating this very important day by honoring a family member or friend with a donation supporting the Pizza for a Smile, an initiative that brings life into each community by following in Saint Pio's footsteps to build a culture of caring, drawing people together to share and to inspire acts of kindness.

You might also wish to help spread devotion to Saint Pio by giving a friend or family member a cherished and memorable gift from our gift shop.

www.pizzaforasmile.org

https://saintpioofpietrelcina.org/gift-shop

05/18/2026

St. Barbara Parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit became officially the fourth Chapel of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

We welcome the establishment of the fourth Chapel of Saint Pio that took place on Sunday, May 10th, at St. Barbara Catholic Church, located at 13534 Colson St., Dearborn, MI 48126, in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
After the mass in honor of Saint Pio, at 10 a.m., which was celebrated by The Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Chapel was presented for the first time to the faithful, and veneration of the first-class relic of Saint Pio continued until 6 P.M.

Read the full story on the following article:

https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/st-barbara-parish-becomes-a-chapel-to-st-padre-pio-with-a-new-first-class-relic

The Saint Pio Foundation recognized the strong devotion to Padre Pio at St. Barbara Parish in Dearborn, MI, and offered the pastor, Father Zbigniew Grankowski, to consider becoming one of Saint Pio's chapels, where the faithful from the parish and surrounding area could come and venerate the saint at all times, and learn more about the holy life of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.

The fifth Chapel of Saint Pio at St. John the Baptist in the Diocese of Columbus will be presented on Sunday, October 11th (more information will follow), and we are working closely with a few more parishes, dioceses, and archdioceses to extend the network of our Chapels.

Those interested in learning more on how to establish a Chapel of Saint Pio can reach us via email at [email protected].

03/30/2026

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE SAINT PIO FOUNDATION

Dear friends and devotees of Saint Pio,

Being the founder and CEO of the Saint Pio Foundation for almost twelve years has been one of the most distinguished honors of my life. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am to have been entrusted with this task, which has brought hope and healing to countless people in the United States and abroad.

Just as life itself evolves, so too does the Saint Pio Foundation. On March 31, 2026, the foundation will close its doors, and its assets will be slowly transferred to a Catholic entity in the United States that will continue to bring Saint Pio’s legacy and teachings to the United States and the world. Therefore, more then a farewell, I like to think that this is a new beginning and a new chapter for the legacy of Saint Pio in this country.

As we speak, five Chapels of Saint Pio have been established, and the intention is to establish several more in other American archdioceses and dioceses by the end of 2026. These Chapels will provide comfort and healing to countless families and individuals.

Meanwhile, a new website will be available starting on April 1, 2026 (www.SaintPioOfPietrelcina.org), where everyone may continue to learn more about Saint Pio and the outstanding initiatives established by this foundation that have inspired millions of people across the globe.

I hope you will also enjoy watching the tribute video clip.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to bring Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in a very meaningful way into your lives in the same way it came into mine.

Luciano Lamonarca
Founder and CEO
Saint Pio Foundation



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMp6gGONTl0

In just twelve years since it's inception, from April 4th, 2014, until March 31, 2026 (the date of its dissolution), the Saint Pio Foundation excelled above ...

03/27/2026

A NEW CHAPEL OF SAINT PIO AT THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF COLUMBUS

On Tuesday, March 24th, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of the Diocese of Columbus, and Father Vince Nguyen, Pastor of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, signed documents to establish a Chapel of Saint Pio.

This chapel is the fifth of a series of chapels to be established by the Saint Pio Foundation, which besides having granted the use of the photographs, letters, the song, and the docudrama on the life of Saint Pio, has also donated a first-class relic to the parish.

We welcome the establishment of this important Chapel (the only one in the state of Ohio), and we thank Bishop Earl Fernandes and Father Vince Nguyen for welcoming Saint Pio into their hearts and in their homes.

03/23/2026

A NEW CHAPEL OF SAINT PIO AT THE ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, IN THE DIOCESE OF HARRISBURG

On Sunday, March 15th, The Most Reverend Timothy Senior, Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, and Father John Bateman, Pastor of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Mechanicsburg, PA, signed the documents to formally establish a Chapel of Saint Pio.

The chapel is the fourth of a series of chapels to be established by the Saint Pio Foundation, which besides granting the use of the photographs, letters, the song and the docudrama on the life of Saint Pio, donates also a first-class relic to the parish.

The Saint Pio Chapel is a place of worship, where all are invited to pray before the relic of Saint Pio, to ask for his intercession for your journeys and spiritual needs.

We are grateful for the establishment of this important Chapel (the only one in the state of Pennsylvania,) and we thank Bishop Timothy Senior and Father John Bateman for welcoming Saint Pio in their community.

03/17/2026

After the Chapel of Saint Pio established at the St. Matthew Catholic Church, Tyrone, GA in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, we are enthusiastic to reveal that other two Chapels of Saint Pio will be presented in the upcoming weeks, bringing the total number of Chapels of Saint Pio established within the United States of America to five. We are looking forward to expanding our program to as many Archdioceses or Dioceses as possible, before the end of 2026.

Here a few photographs taken during the presentation of the Chapel of Saint Pio in Tyrone, GA.

Credits: Julianna Leopold

03/13/2026

CLEARANCE: purchase devotional items at wholesale cost

The Saint Pio Foundation is moving its warehouse to another location, and as a result we are offering the opportunity to purchase a list of devotional items at a wholesale cost. The items, together with their costs and the minimum order are listed below.

This opportunity is available until Wednesday, March 18, 2026. First come, first served basis.

The costs do include shipping within the United States of America.

To make your order, please, email to [email protected]
For foreign countries, email to use the email address above, but shipping costs would be charged separately.

Thank you for your attention.



BOOK PADRE PIO AND AMERICA: Total $125 (12 copies - one box)

BOOK THE REAL SAINT PIO: Total $185 (18 copies - one box)

PADRE PIO THIRD CLASS RELIC CARD (IN SPANISH): Total $25 (10 cards)

PHOTOGRAPHS OF SAINT PIO (8.5 X 11): purchase one set of 10 different photographs at $50, and receive an additional set for free

CUSTOM-MADE ROSARY IN MOTHER OF PEARL: purchase 1 one rosary at $100, and receive an additional rosary for free

03/10/2026

Padre Pio's father, Grazio Forgione was born in the town of Pietrelcina in 1860. Together with his wife Maria Giuseppa "Beppa" Di Nunzio, they became the parents of Michele, Francesco, Felicita, Pellegrina, Grazia, and two other children Francesco and Amalia, who died in infancy.

A peasant farmer, with no steady income, Grazio immigrated to the United States of America in search of work to pay for private tutoring for his son Francesco, so that he might meet the academic requirements to enter the Capuchin Order. It was in this period that Francesco received the sacrament of Confirmation on September 27, 1899.

In March of 1899, 127 years ago, he resided and worked on a ward in the town of New Castle, called Mahoningtown, in Pennsylvania, in a farm owned by a family named Myers. He and some of his relatives were living in a frame house on Montgomery Street, where he was put in charge of other farmhands.

Grazio Forgione went to America to find work so that he could support his son’s education, like the 3.2 million Italians that journeyed to America to seek better opportunities for their families.

We are indeed so very grateful to Grazio Forgione, for embracing in these journeys and making these sacrifices, together with his wife Maria Giuseppa, and allow Padre Pio to study and becoming a priest.

03/03/2026

THE REASON BEHIND SAINT PIO'S SMILE

It is a common misconception that Saint Pio was a grumpy and overly serious saint. While this may be true regarding his being serious and focused during the moments preceding and during Mass and confessions, at other times in daily life he was known to be a very jocular friar, who often spoke with great humor to cheer his brothers and to distract their attention away from his health issues.

We invite you to watch our docudrama Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: Man of Hope and Healing to learn about the real Saint Pio.

Saint Pio's smile in this photograph, taken on February 1, 1965, is evidence of the saint’s love for life. On January 31, 1965, the soccer team of Foggia hosted Italy’s most famous soccer team, Inter, at the Stadio Zaccheria for the 19th matchday of the Series A championship.

Inter, often referred to as “Great Inter,” was the seasoned European champion, and no soccer team had been able to defeat it, while the Foggia soccer team was a new entrant in the league.

The Inter team arrived in Puglia and stopped in San Giovanni Rotondo the day before the match to meet Saint Pio and request his blessing. Saint Pio greeted and met with each member of the Inter soccer team, including their coach, Helenio Herreira. However, according to the testimony of former Inter goalkeeper Giuliano Sarti, Saint Pio, confident of Foggia's victory, told coach Herreira: “You won't win in our hometown, but the league title will be yours.”

And that's exactly how it turned out. The Foggia team defeated Inter with a final score of 3 to 2, but Inter went on to win the league title, the European Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup at the end of the season, just as Saint Pio had predicted. It is important to note that out of a total of 34 matches played, the "Great Inter" lost only two.

The next day, February 1, the Foggia team went to meet Saint Pio to thank him for instilling hope in them through his prophetic insight. The Saint, always with his rosary in hand, gave them a smile worth a thousand words.