The I Embrace You Statue

Note: Parishes and individuals, who wish to obtain miniature or life-size replicas, are encouraged to send an email to office@saintpiofoundation.org

On September 23, 2021, on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the passing of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, representatives of the Municipality of Pietrelcina, Italy, and the Saint Pio Foundation will sign a joint declaration for the creation of a public square in Pietrelcina’s Piana Romana, dedicated to the “People of the United States of America.” Timothy Schmalz, one of today’s greatest artists in the Catholic world, has created a life-size sculpture, titled “I Embrace You,” to be installed on the square. This unique event is intended to pay tribute to the historic role of America in the life of Padre Pio.
The event will be televised by national and international media outlets and in attendance there will be Mr. Domenico Masone, Mayor of Pietrecina, and Mr. Luciano Lamonarca, President of the Saint Pio Foundation.

This commemorative site is located near Padre Pio’s birthplace in the center of Pietrelcina and will be continuously open to the public. The land and sculpture will become important destinations in Pietrelcina and are expected to draw pilgrims from throughout the world.

"’It all started there! Jesus was there!’ This is what Padre Pio used to say, referring to Piana Romana where, in fact, he received the first signs of his stigmata,” said Mayor Masone.

“Grazio Forgione, the father of Francesco Forgione, known today as Padre Pio, traveled to the United States in 1892 to seek work that would support the family and pay for his son’s education for the priesthood. Ordained as a priest in 1910, Padre Pio witnessed two world wars in close succession that brought him into contact with American military personnel. It was the American soldiers and sailors, who were among the first to promote Padre Pio’s legacy in the United States, recounting their own meetings with the saint in the village of San Giovanni Rotondo. We are honored to partner with the town of Pietrelcina for this project.”

The construction of the site and the creation of the sculpture was funded by the Saint Pio Foundation and the Guarino and Viola families. A commemorative plaque installed at the site will read as follows:

“The Municipality of Pietrelcina and the Saint Pio Foundation erect this monument in honor of the United States of America and the American people in gratitude for the opportunity provided to Orazio Forgione, father of Padre Pio, to work and to support the education of his son.”

Sculpted by: Timothy P. Schmalz
September 23, 2021
Donated by: Alan and Kathy Guarino and Vincent and Teresa Viola