Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Pope Francis prayed before the body of Saint Pio at San Giovanni Rotondo

Video. Pope Francis prayed before the body of Saint Pio at San Giovanni Roton

Updated:

It was Pope Francis’ first visit as Pope to the hill town in southern Italy where the bearded Capuchin monk spent most of his life

Pope Francis prayed before the body of Padre Pio, one of Catholicism’s most popular saints who is said to have wrestled with the Devil.

It was Francis’ first visit as Pope to the hill town in southern Italy where the bearded Capuchin monk spent most of his life.

Saint Pio died in 1968 but his body was exhumed in 2008 when he was partially reconstructed with a life-like silicone mask. It is preserved in a temperature-controlled glass coffin.

Pilgrims toss money and notes to the saint.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT