Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887–1968), born Francesco Forgione, was an Italian Capuchin friar and priest who is venerated in the Catholic Church as a saint. He is well known for bearing the stigmata — the wounds of Christ's crucifixion — for 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968.
Padre Pio was reported to have bilocation, the ability to be in two places at once. Numerous accounts attest to his gift of reading souls in confession, prophecy, and healing. He reportedly converted many people and brought countless lapsed Catholics back to the sacraments.
He founded the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home for the Relief of Suffering), a hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo, in 1956. Today it is one of the most modern and well-equipped hospitals in Italy.
Padre Pio's most famous saying: "Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer."
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1999 and canonized on June 16, 2002.
