About the Author

Padre Pio (1887-1968) was born Francesco Forgione, lived most of his life as a Fransiscan Capuchin friar in Italy, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002. He became famous for his piety, for his counsel to pilgrims, and for the stigmata visible in his hands. He is widely recognized as the most venerated Catholic saint of the last century.

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, the editor of this volume, is a Fransican Capuchin priest and a retired Professor of the History of Ancient Christianity at the Catholic University of Milan. Pope John Paul II appointed him Preacher to the Papal Household, a position that he still holdds. His website is www.cantalamessa.org.