A foundation that promotes devotion to St. Pio of Pietrelcina, more widely known as Padre Pio, is making 10 never-before-seen photographs of the saint available to the devout for free.
The images provide personal insight into the life, attitude and spirituality of 20th-century saint, said the photographer. Some photos show Padre Pio solemnly celebrating Mass while in others he is smiling while surrounded by his confreres.
Elia Stelluto, Padre Pio’s personal photographer, stood proudly — camera in hand — before posters of the 10 new images for the presentation of the photos in the Vatican movie theater April 29.
“It’s enough to look at one image of his face” to understand Padre Pio, he told Catholic News Service. “With that you can understand so much; each photo has its own story, one must at them look one by one and that way you see so much more in his expressions.”
Stelluto photographed the saint for decades at the convent where he lived in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
Elia Stelluto, St. Padre Pio's personal photographer, stands before a poster showing a previously unseen photo of the saint while holding the camera he used to capture it during a presentation at the Vatican April 29, 2024. (CNS photo/Justin McLellan)
