On 22 September 1968, the old Padre Pio is about to die in
San Giovanni Rotondo,
Apulia. Shortly after midnight, a mysterious Cardinal arrives come to disturb Padre Pio and taunt him with all the shortcomings of the friar during his lifetime, especially during the 50th anniversary of Pio's
stigmata. Padre Pio then takes the moment to tell the Cardinal about his consecrated life, starting from childhood. In 1895, the 8-year-old Francesco (Padre Pio) encountered God for the first time in his hometown of
Campania (
Pietrelcina). At the same time, he was also besieged and tormented by the Devil, who manifested himself in the shape of a black dog. After a few miracles, Francesco became a novice and went first to
Molise, then to Pietrelcina (his hometown), and then to San Giovanni Rotondo. He also received the stigmata from God for his faithfulness, and in a convent in Apulia he decided to stay for life. Immediately, his fame grows throughout Italy, but the Vatican thinks that the stigmata are false and condemns Padre Pio. But the crowd of faithful is growing, and at the end of the story, the Pope decides to change his mind. == Cast ==