Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

We tried to visit San Giovanni Rotondo, but the town was so crowded with pilgrims, that we could not even park the car. So we cruised around - and left again. Padre Pio (aka "Saint Pio of Pietrelcina") lived here from 1916 to his death on 23 September 1968. The stigmatized saint was already venerated during his lifetime. The "Santuario di San Pio da Pietrelcina" was completed in 2004. The huge church has space for 6,500 people, while about 30,000 people can gather on the forecourt. It is estimated that 7 million people visit San Giovanni Rotondo each year. We found this statue just outside the town.

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - When strong popular piety meets with electricity, "Padre Pio" receives a radiant halo.