Padre Pio is one of the last saints to be canonised by Pope John Paul II. He was born in Pietrelcina, about 45km to the west of Bovino, and spent most of his life in San Giovanni Rotondo 55km to the east of Bovino. Perhaps this partly explains why so many of the People of Bovino feel such a strong connection to the man.

Many people have pictures and calendars of him in their homes and businesses. The statue below is housed in a shrine at the end of Via Montecastro in Bovino.

This image of Padre Pio is painted on the wall of a house.

A number of the residents, including Orfeo Bisanti have personally met Padre Pio prior to his death in 1968. However, Orfeo is unusual amongst Bovinesi in that he continued to have contact with the Saint even after his death. The following is a translation of Orfeo's testimony that he was keen to share with the greater public:

A few years ago at work, Padre Pio said to me: "Orfè, you have to make me a church in Bovino". I jokingly replied to him: "Padre Pio, who do you take me for, Don Mattia?" [Don Mattia was a distinguished laird and baron of Bovino]. From his look, I realised he was not amused by what I had said, and continued: "Padre Pio, tell me what I must do!". Padre Pio said: "Do as I did with donations." Then he signalled me to restore the "Church of Mercy". I am now doing everything possible until the church is restored, with the help of donations from some friends in Bovino and some residents from abroad. Now the planning is underway, and I hope that with the help of God, Padre Pio can have his own church in Bovino as well.

Orfeo is pictured on the left here in front of the church he is raising funds to restore. This photo was taken on Palm Sunday, and the table in front of him has traditionally decorated olive branches on it.