A statue of St Pio of Pietrelcina at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in New York City.
Photo: OSV News/Gregory A. Shemitz. As September 23 approaches, Catholics across the world prepare to commemorate St Pio of Pietrelcina, known affectionately as Padre Pio, a 20th Century mystic whose reputation for holiness continues to confound sceptics and inspire generations. Most Catholics know Padre Pio’s story: born Francesco Forgione in 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy, received the stigmata in 1918, died…
