Italian saint to be exhumed

SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO, Italy, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Roman Catholic leaders plan to exhume and display the body of San Pio, revered for his perpetually bleeding hands and miracles, over objections from his family.

Archbishop Domenico Umberto D'Ambrosio has said the body of the saint, affectionately called Padre Pio by devotees, will be removed from his tomb this year and displayed for pilgrims to see and venerate, ANSA reported Monday. But several relatives, including San Pio's niece, Pia Forgione and her eight children, are readying a court challenge, the Italian news agency said.

The archbishop, family attorney Francesco Traversi said, "will not succeed in his attempt to re-crucify Padre Pio by putting his remains on display."

But D'Ambrosio said he is convinced the church has a "duty to allow future generations the chance to venerate the mortal remains of St. Pio of Pietrelcina."

San Pio, who was born in 1887 and died in 1968, was credited with more than a thousand miraculous cures and other miracles. Believers said he bore the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ on his hands, feet and side for at least 50 years.

The exhumation is expected in April but a date is yet to be announced.