Chronicles the life of the priest and saint Padre Pio, particularly the Vatican's investigation of his stigmata in 1921 through documents recently released by the Catholic Church.

The first historical appraisal of the astonishing life and times of a controversial twentieth-century saint Padre Pio is one of the world's most beloved holy figures, more popular in Italy than the Virgin Mary and even Jesus. His tomb is the most visited Catholic shrine anywhere, drawing more devotees than Lourdes. His miraculous feats included the ability to fly and to be present in two places at once; an apparition of Padre Pio in midair prevented Allied warplanes from dropping bombs on his hometown. Most notable of all were his stigmata, which provoke heated controversy to this day. Were they truly God-given? A psychosomatic response to extreme devotion? Or, perhaps, the self-inflicted wounds of a charlatan? Now acclaimed historian Sergio Luzzatto offers a pioneering investigation of this remarkable man and his followers. Neither a worshipful hagiography nor a sensationalist exposé, Padre Pio is a nuanced examination of the persistence of mysticism in contemporary society and a striking analysis of the links between Catholicism and twentieth-century politics. Granted unprecedented access to the Vatican archives, Luzzatto has also unearthed a letter from Padre Pio himself in which the monk asks for a secret delivery of carbolic acid—a discovery which helps explain why two successive popes regarded Padre Pio as a fraud, until pressure from Pio-worshipping pilgrims forced the Vatican to change its views. A profoundly original tale of wounds and wonder, salvation and swindle, Padre Pio explores what it really means to be a saint in our time.

This is by far the best life of Padre Pio in print. It tells the amazing story of the obscure Italian priest who became famous all over the world, both for his stigmata and for his miracles and supernatural insights. #goodreads-widget { font-family: georgia, serif; padding: 18px 0; width:350px; } #goodreads-widget h1 { font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #BBB596; margin-bottom: 0; } #goodreads-widget a { text-decoration: none; color: ʔ } iframe{ background-color: #ffffff; } #goodreads-widget a: hover { text-decoration: underline; } #goodreads-widget a: active { color: ʔ } #gr_footer { width: 100%; border-top: 1px solid #BBB596; text-align: right; } #goodreads-widget .gr_branding{ color: #382110; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; font-family: "Helvetica Neue," Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; } Goodreads reviews for Padre Pio Revised and Expanded: The True Story Reviews from Goodreads.com

"He who believes in miracles has already obtained one." A faith so powerful that he bore the stigmata. Prayer so intense that he appeared to believers all over the world. Padre Pio is one of the most intriguing and otherworldly saints of the twentieth century, but this biography has been out of print in English for more than forty years--until now. Padre Pio, written just a few years after his death, brings the saint's words and works to a new audience eager to learn of his mysticism and miracles.

A true treasure of spiritual insights, this little booklet contains the remarkable meditations on the Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane by Blessed Padre Pio, the stigmatist priest. One of his few writings, the booklet also includes many pictures of Blessed Padre Pio from throughout his ministry. Padre Pio's beautiful and descriptive manner of writing provide a wonderful spiritual insight into that last night of Jesus' human life.

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us. Before his death in 1968, Padre Pio was known throughout the world as a very holy man — many even called him a living saint. This humble Italian priest who bore the wounds of Christ received thousands of letters and visitors each year, seeking his spiritual counsel, healing, and prayer. Padre Pio’s intense spirituality and holiness remain legendary and life-changing. This is the comprehensive life story of the priest who became world famous for his stigmata, miracles, and supernatural insights. Read in detail about the many miracles of Padre Pio, and discover how knowing this powerful saint can change your life, too. By far the best biography of Padre Pio ever written — newly updated with more details and 16 pages of photos!

Padre Pio, a Capuchin priest, from 1918 until his death in 1968, bore the wounds of Christ. Because of his holy life, he was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002. Although Padre Pio's earthly life has ended, devout admirers from the world over continue to stream into the town which has become synonymous with his name. They come seeking blessings, favors, and even miracles, as did countless believers before, while this inspiring stigmatist lived. Pio's life has been surrounded with accounts of unusual spiritual phenomena and astonishing gifts of knowledge above the natural order, and yet, with peculiar suffering as well. He had throngs of followers and devotees but was not spared the humiliation of detractors and the derision of harsh critics. Miss Gaudiose, drawing from years of on-the-scene observation, offers a devout though detached presentation of the life of this amazing mystic and of the loving power of the Savior beyond the pain.