Pilgrims flock to hear Padre Pio sainted

Pilgrims began flocking to Rome today for the canonisation of Padre Pio, the enormously popular mystical Italian monk whose hands bled for years.

Pilgrims began flocking to Rome today for the canonisation of Padre Pio, the enormously popular mystical Italian monk.

Pope John Paul is to declare Pio a saint tomorrow, presiding over an open-air ceremony in St Peter’s Square that is expected to draw at least 250,000 people.