Padre Pio: Man of God (1999)

In this incredible documentary film, Padre Pio - voiced by Christopher Jones in the English version, and by Nando Gazzolo in the Italian version - tells his story. The voice of the simple friar from Pietrelcina lives on through his own writings, recalling various moments from his remarkable life. Padre Pio is now known as Blessed Pio of Pietrelcina, as a result of his beatification on May 2nd,1999, by Pope John Paul II. A humble Capuchin priest from San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, Padre Pio was blessed by God in many wonderful and mysterious ways. He was born to Giuseppa and Grazio Forgione, peasant farmers, in the small Italian village of Pietrelcina on May 25, 1887. From his childhood, it was evident that he was a true child of God. Padre Pio and the Stigmata: the most dramatic sign of his special grace was the stigmata. Padre Pio bore the wounds of Jesus on his hands, feet, and side for fifty years. Several days before he died in 1968, all evidence of the wounds disappeared. In this film, Padre Pio describes how he first received the stigmata, and how he lived with it throughout his life. He speaks of himself as a confessor and spiritual guide, a man of prayer and a man of God. Other wonders have been granted to Padre Pio, including the gift of prophecy and the ability to effect miraculous cures. This biographical documentary feature includes interviews with those who knew him best, including writers and journalists, and his fellow monks.