Padre Pio

The poor Italian peasant boy Francesco already has visions of Jesus and Mary as a child, but the Devil visits him too. Francesco is quite certain that he will become a priest. After entering the Capuchin Order it becomes clear that Padre Pio (his new name) has powers that cannot be explained rationally: he heals the sick and knows the names, problems, and future of complete strangers. His prophesies that the then unknown young Karol Wojtyla will become Pope one day. Padre Pio's charity and ecstatic prayers make a great impression on the people. In 1918 the Wounds of Christ appear on his hands and feet - Padre Pio carries the stigmata. His followers multiply, and the cult that grows up around him makes his holy order and the Vatican uneasy. Many within the church consider him to be a hysteric or a trickster, since he only showed his wounds the one time when they first appeared. Padre Pio suffers reprisals and is no longer allowed to carry out his role as a priest. The ordinary people, however, continue to believe in him and his miracles. Just before his death in 1968 there is a reconciliation with the grand Visitor of the Vatican, who recognizes him as a Saint.