Born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio became a Capuchin monk at age fifteen and took the name Pio. He was ordained a priest on August 10, 1910. On September 7, 1910, while praying, he was visited by Jesus and Saint Mary and was given the wounds of Christ, the Stigmata. He imitated Jesus with his suffering, especially by serving people through confession and other sacraments. On June 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II declared him a saint.