Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (born May 25, 1887, Pietrelcina, Italy—died September 23, 1968, San Giovanni Rotondo; canonized June 16, 2002; feast day September 23) was an Italian priest and saint of the Roman Catholic Church. Born into a devout Roman Catholic family, he consecrated himself to Jesus at age 5. At age 15 he joined the Capuchin order and took the name Pio in honor of Saint Pius I. In 1910, the year in which he became a priest, he received what are known as the invisible stigmata (bodily marks corresponding to the wounds suffered by the crucified Jesus) for the first time, though they eventually healed. He received the stigmata again in 1918, and this time they remained with him until his death. These and other signs of his holiness (such as his reported ability to be in two places at once and his gift of healing) drew growing numbers of pilgrims to him. He was noted for his charity and piety and was canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II.Interesting Facts about Saint Padre Pio: Saint Pio and the Veterans