Parolin urged the faithful to emulate Padre Pio’s example, recalling the saint’s words: “Prayer is the best weapon we have.”
Newsroom (24/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, presided over a Mass on September 23 at Rome’s San Salvatore in Lauro church to mark the liturgical memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, popularly known as Padre Pio. Describing the beloved Capuchin friar as a “modern saint” and a “singular figure” cherished across nations, Parolin urged the faithful to emulate Padre Pio’s example by praying for peace, recalling the saint’s words: “Prayer is the best weapon we have.”
The church, home to a sanctuary housing relics of the stigmatist friar, was filled with devotees despite heavy rain. Worshippers spilled into the adjacent piazza, where chairs and loudspeakers were set up to accommodate the overflow. Among the attendees were numerous Italian Civil Protection representatives, who venerate Padre Pio as their patron saint. In his homily, Parolin emphasized the enduring relevance of Padre Pio’s spirituality, particularly during this Jubilee Year of Hope, which he described as “marked by hope that does not disappoint.” He called on the faithful to rediscover the “spirituality of the Cross” to open their hearts in these challenging times.
Suffering, Prayer, and Spiritual Phenomena
Cardinal Parolin highlighted three defining aspects of Padre Pio’s sanctity: his suffering, his prayer, and his extraordinary spiritual phenomena. Quoting St. John Paul II’s homily from Padre Pio’s 2002 canonization, Parolin underscored the “salvific value of suffering” as exemplified by the humble Capuchin. Padre Pio, he noted, understood the intrinsic link between suffering and love, offering his physical and spiritual trials for the salvation of souls.
Parolin also presented Padre Pio as a model of prayer, describing it as “a key that opens the heart to God.” He praised the saint’s practical approach to prayer, noting his advice to pause when the mind or spirit falters. “It is no exaggeration to say that Padre Pio holds a prominent place among the great figures of prayer in Christian spirituality,” the cardinal remarked.
Addressing the saint’s mystical experiences—such as visions, stigmata, and bilocation—Parolin acknowledged that these phenomena often met with skepticism and misunderstanding. Yet, Padre Pio accepted these trials with “humble obedience,” trusting that God would ultimately reveal the truth. This trust was vindicated when the Church canonized him, affirming his sanctity.
A Saint for Our Times
Parolin described Padre Pio as a “saint of our days,” whose life reveals the richness of the Gospel. “In the lives of the saints, God’s luminous path is traced through history,” he said, adding that Padre Pio’s legacy continues to inspire. The cardinal’s words resonated with the gathered faithful, who braved the rain to honor a saint whose life of suffering, prayer, and devotion remains a beacon of hope.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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