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Padre Pio was born on 25 May 1887 at Pietrelcina a little town situated few kilometres from Benevento (Southern Italy).
His parents were Grazio Forgione, known as "Razio" or "Zì Razio", a farmer who lived on his own work and Giuseppina Di Nunzio, a woman of great mercy.
He was baptized after few hours his birth in Santa Maria degli Angeli, the ancient parish church located in the upper part of Pietrelcina called the 'Castle'. His name was the name of his brother, Francesco, who died in early infancy.
Since young he helped his parents with their work in the fields, but, above all, he was the shepherd of
 the flock.
When he felt the calling to priesthood, his father willingly undertook all the expenses needed to let him study and emigrated to America.
At the age of twelve he received the Sacrament of Confirmation and made his First Holy
Communion.
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