Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, the Capuchin friar who bore the stigmata for fifty years, remains one of the most studied and controversial mystics of the 20th century. While the faithful viewed his wounds as miraculous signs of sanctity, others—medical experts, Church authorities, and skeptics—sought scientific explanations. What did they find?
The Initial Appearance of the Wounds
The stigmata appeared on Padre Pio’s hands, feet, and side in September 1918, while he was praying in the choir loft after Mass. He described feeling an overwhelming sense of peace, followed by a vision and a sudden burst of pain. Blood began to flow from his wounds, which were to remain for the rest of his life.
Church-Initiated Medical Investigations
At the request of Church authorities, Padre Pio was examined multiple times by doctors and experts. One of the earliest and most thorough investigations was conducted by Dr. Luigi Romanelli, the chief physician of the civilian hospital in Barletta. He reported that the wounds were “not superficial” and showed “no signs of infection.”
Another examiner, Dr. Giorgio Festa, observed the wounds closely over time and noted that they neither healed nor decayed. He concluded they were not self-inflicted and were medically inexplicable. Festa later wrote a detailed report describing his findings, which supported the authenticity of the stigmata.
Skepticism and Allegations
Despite the positive reports, some critics believed the wounds could have been self-inflicted or caused by psychosomatic means. In the 1920s, Dr. Amico Bignami, a pathologist, suggested that Padre Pio might have used carbolic acid—though there was never proof of this. In fact, a pharmacist confirmed that the acid was requested for disinfecting syringes used in the monastery infirmary.
Psychiatrist Agostino Gemelli, who attempted a psychological analysis of Padre Pio without ever examining him personally, dismissed the stigmata as “hysterical” or suggestive of autosuggestion. However, the Vatican never formally endorsed this view, and Gemelli’s claims were largely discredited due to their speculative nature.
Consistency Over Time
Over five decades, the stigmata remained visible, unchanged in size and depth, and never developed infection—an anomaly from a medical perspective. Reports confirmed that no scarring formed and the bleeding occurred without external irritation. The wounds vanished completely shortly before Padre Pio’s death in 1968, leaving no trace on his body, further deepening the mystery.
Church and Canonical View
While some investigations were conducted in secrecy or under suspicion, the Church ultimately accepted the authenticity of the stigmata in its canonization process. Padre Pio was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002, and the enduring presence of the wounds was cited as part of his path to sainthood.
Science Meets Mystery
Despite scientific examinations, no conclusive natural explanation was ever provided. The phenomenon defied conventional medical understanding. Some experts leaned toward psychosomatic theories, others toward supernatural causes. But in the end, the mystery of Padre Pio’s stigmata remains—both profoundly spiritual and medically perplexing.
Conclusion
Padre Pio’s stigmata continue to inspire devotion and debate. Whether seen through the lens of science or faith, they represent a profound intersection of the physical and the mystical. The doctors may not have agreed, but all acknowledged one thing: this was no ordinary case.
