The remains of Saint Pio - known as Padre Pio of Pietrelcina - were taken from the church in San Giovanni Rotondo, Apulia, and started their journey to Rome. Pope Francis wanted the remains to be moved to Rome as part of the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The remains are set to arrive at the Capuchin church of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls later with a series of events among which a papal audience in St. Peter's Square on February 6 for St. Pio prayer groups.

Every day after the 18:00 Mass, a blessing is given with St. Pio's cloak, a relic held in the church together with a glove that covered the stigmata and a few drops of his blood. A series of Masses will accompany the saint's reliquary at San Salvatore in Lauro, commencing with a Mass celebrated on February 4 by Monsignor Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, who is overseeing the Jubilee Year.

Source: ANSA