titular character in “Padre Pio,” a film helmed by Abel Ferrara exploring the life of the Franciscan Capuchin mystic. Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione in southern Italy in 1887.
He became famous for showing stigmata, or crucifixion wounds like those on the body of Jesus Christ. He died in 1968 at the age of 81, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1999 and then canonized in 2002.
Ferrara previously made a short documentary on the religious figure.Despite intense scrutiny from skeptics and members of the medical community, no conclusive explanation has been given for Pio’s stigmata, which allegedly appeared and healed throughout his life.LaBeouf felt immense pressure as he learned more about Pio and spoke to other Franciscan Capuchin friars, who he says begged him, “Don’t get it wrong.
He’s the only one we have.”The actor stressed throughout the interview that despite his intense immersion, he is still very new to the faith and not an expert on different aspects of the religion.
Read more on nypost.com