On May 25, 1887, St. Padre Pio, then called Francesco, was born. At the age of five, he had already decided he wanted to dedicate his life to God. He joined the Capuchin Friars at the age of 15. Soon after becoming a friar, he started the seven-year trek to becoming a priest; however, he started experiencing severe illnesses. The saint continued his seven years and became a priest in 1910. Early in his priesthood, St. Pio started experiencing stigmata. He wore coverings on his hands to hide them. The Vatican hired doctors to study the stigmata, in order to ensure that they were real. He died September 23, 1968, at the age of 81. His feast day is celebrated on September 23, and he is the patron saint of Pietrelcina, Italy; civil defense volunteers; and adolescents.
The statue of St. Padre Pio is 11" tall and weighs 670 grams.