This humble church, where Padre Pio celebrated his first Mass, holds deep spiritual meaning. For decades, the rooster weather vane atop the church—a symbol familiar to generations of Pietrelcina’s faithful—remained unlit. Thanks to the generosity of PPFOA benefactors, we restored full lighting throughout the church, bringing visibility, beauty, and reverence back to this sacred space.

We also contributed to artistic and structural improvements, including climate control and beautifully crafted bronze-and-glass doors that depict scenes from Padre Pio’s life.

To preserve the beauty and sacredness of Padre Pio’s hometown, PPFOA initiated a complete lighting upgrade across the historic sites in Pietrelcina. This included both churches and key devotional sites connected to Padre Pio’s early years.

Visitors are now able to walk safely and prayerfully through these places—morning, noon, or night—experiencing the village in its full spiritual and architectural beauty.

To welcome the growing number of pilgrims coming to Pietrelcina each year, PPFOA helped fund the creation of a new retreat house adjacent to the sacred churches Padre Pio knew and loved.

This simple but modern space offers rooms for prayer, reflection, and rest—just steps from the places where Padre Pio prayed, discerned his calling, and celebrated his first Mass.

In addition to supporting places of worship and pilgrimage, PPFOA is also helping to strengthen the spiritual life of the community itself.

The new prayer and community center in Pietrelcina offers a space for religious meetings, youth catechism (CCD) classes, retreats, and conferences—serving as the hub for all local religious activities.

This center ensures that the faith Padre Pio lived and passed on continues to grow in the next generation, right in the heart of his hometown.