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Beloved Italian Saint Exhumed

Padre Pio unearthed overnight to duck protests, legal challenge

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2008 4:25 PM CST

(Newser) – One of Italy's most revered saints was exhumed without warning Sunday night, evading protesters and preempting a legal challenge, the Guardian reports. The body of Padre Pio was "in surprisingly good condition," said the archbishop of Puglia, where the saint's shrine draws millions of visitors every year. "The chin is perfect and the rest of the body is well preserved."

A group loyal to Padre Pio filed a legal complaint yesterday that called the exhumation "tomb violation." The church has hidden the body and plans to restore it for display next month as part of the observation of the 40th anniversary of Padre Pio's death. Pope Benedict is likely to attend, and a hotline to reserve viewings is already overloaded, the Times of London reports.

[Images (5)]

[Videos (2)]

In this photo released by the Voce Padre Pio organisation, Monday, March 3, 2008, organization Archbishop Domenico D'Ambrosio opens the coffin containing the remains of Padre Pio, a hugely popular Italian... (Associated Press)

In this photo released Monday, March 3, 2008, by "Voce Padre Pio" organization, Archbishop Domenico D'Ambrosio, left, is helped by other priests to open the coffin containing the remains of Padre Pio,... (Associated Press)

In this photo released Monday, March 3, 2008, by "Voce Padre Pio" organization, Archbishop Domenico D'Ambrosio, center, and other priests look at the coffin containing the remains of Padre PioPadre Pio,... (Associated Press)

In this photo released Monday, March 3, 2008, by "Voce Padre Pio" organization, Archbishop Domenico D'Ambrosio, left, and other priests look at the coffin containing the remains of Padre Pio, a hugely... (Associated Press)

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Beloved Italian Saint Exhumed