As winter approaches, the customary transference of Padre Pio's remains is resumed. Hundreds of people gathered this morning outside the church of San Giovanni Rotondo, which carries the saint's name, to follow the transportation of the remains of Padre Pio's corpse into the basement of the sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Since 2008, the translation has been repeated mostly for climatic reasons, since the church of San Giovanni Rotondo is inaccessible throughout the winter owing to frequent inclement weather, making pilgrimage difficult. In the spring of 2023, the relics will be restored to the church constructed by Renzo Piano.
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