The Saint Pio Foundation released a collection of ten previously unseen photographs of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, also known as Padre Pio, to mark the 10th anniversary of its founding.
These images, discovered by the foundation’s director, Luciano Lamonarca, during a visit to photographer Elia Stelluto’s studio, capture candid and public moments of the saint’s life.
Photographer Elia Stelluto, who had a close relationship with Padre Pio from childhood, expressed his enduring awe at the saint’s presence, even in photographs. “Padre Pio was luminous, and I can’t explain it,” Stelluto said to Aleteia.
He says the unique quality of the images is because they were taken without the use of flash. This method was specifically requested by Padre Pio, who disliked the harshness of traditional photography lighting.
During a presentation at the Vatican Film Library, Lamonarca said one of the photos is nice because it shows Padre Pio smiling. “Yes, he was smiling because he was a man,” Lamonarca said to EWTN News.
The photographs are available for public viewing on the foundation’s website, offering a rare glimpse into one of the 20th century’s most venerated Catholic saints!
Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
