The Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church is a church in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy owned by the Ordine dei Frati Minori Cappuccini di Foggia. About seven million pilgrims a year flock to Santa Maria delle Grazie Church (dedicated in 1676) to pay homage to Padre Pio, a well-known Italian saint who died there 40 years ago.
The Genoan architect Renzo Piano designed the masonic style church, located in front of Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, an Italian hospital and research center, founded by Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
Padre Pio came to the Capuchin monastery in San Giovanni Rotondo in 1916 and made his home there for 52 years until his death in 1968. Besides being devoted to God, he was known for his care of the sick and supernatural powers. He was declared a saint in 2002.
