Padre Pio's body moved to Church named for him

(April 21, 2010) In southern Italy, the body of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, popularly known as Padre Pio, was moved from its 42-year resting spot in the shrine of San Giovanni Rotondo, Puglia Region, to a new church inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI when he visited the spot last year. The remains of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) were moved on 19^th April. His religious order chose the date to coincide with the fifth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's election as Pope and the opening of their 126th provincial chapter. The transfer of Padre Pio's body was authorized by the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The new Church of the saint offers more space for pilgrims, and easier access to the disabled. Padre Pio's tomb is the third most visited Catholic site in the world, after the Vatican and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
Archbishop Michele Castoro of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo presided over the Eucharistic celebration, during which the altar of the church was consecrated, and Padre Pio's remains were placed in the central pillar of the building. The pillar is decorated with mosaics by Father Ivan Marko Rupnik on the lives of Padre Pio and of St. Francis of Assisi.