Thousands Flock To See 'Saint of Our Time'

San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy (AHN) - The exhumed body of Italian mystic and friar Saint Pio of Pietrelcina has drawn tens of thousands of pilgrims eager to get a glimpse of him to this small southern town.

Since Thursday, devotees and members of the Roman Catholic clergy have trooped to Padre Pio's hometown of Pietrelcina to revere the saint, who died in 1968 at the age of 81.

Padre Pio was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002 before one of the biggest Vatican crowds. His sainthood was fast tracked on account of some 1,000 miracles submitted to the Vatican for his case.

Padre Pio's remains were exhumed from a marble crypt on March 3 by the Vatican and "restored" for public viewing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his death. Church officials declared the saint's body " in relatively good condition", with the beard, nails, knees and hands reported to be incorrupt.

However, since the face was not well-preserved, the Church commissioned a silicone mask of the monk's face be made for the viewing. The body was then dressed in a brown Capuchin monk's habit and the fingerless gloves Padre Pio wore in his lifetime.

The controversial priest, who became popular for his many miracles and intercessions, was believed to have manifested the stigmata - the bleeding wounds of Jesus Christ- in his hands. The fingerless gloves were meant to "catch" blood dripping from the wounds on his hands.

Reports said some 15,000 devotees, majority of them Catholic priests and nuns, attended Mass before the saint's remains went on display on Thursday.

By Friday, Church officials reported that more than 800,000 people have requested to view Padre Pio's remains that the Church was forced to extend the display until September 2009.

Earlier reports said the viewing will only be for several months. However, San Giovanni Rotondo had already been welcoming seven to eight million of Padre Pio's devotees every year.The public exhibit of the saint's remains are expected to increase the numbers even more.