Thieves Attempt to Steal Padre Pio's Relics

Intruders attempted to steal relics of the Italian National Hero Padre Pio (1887-1968) in the dead of night.

Rome (kath.net/KAP) Intruders attempted to steal relics of the Italian National Hero Padre Pio (1887-1968) in the dead of night. The thieves broke into the chapel crypt of the south Italian city of Saint Giovanni Rotundo, according to the Roman daily 'La Republica' (Monday-Edition) which was reported to the local police. There the perpetrators broke through the bulletproof glass, behind which the reliquary of the Capuchin Monk is located.

Among the secured remains of the Saint, who was famous for his crucifixion wounds, there are some hairs, a bandage as well as a pair of gloves.

The body of Padre Pio was put in the sanctuary by star architect Renzo Piano in April of this year and since 2004 the pilgrimage church was open for the Saint, Pio di Pietrelicina, had been reinterred in the Apulian city. Before he was in the laid to rest in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

From kathnet...