Religion is continually used to control the masses and occasionally needs to find a new tool to keep the believers in check. As Dr Davies quite rightly points out, a fraud in the 70's but a saint now due to the fervour whipped up by those who have witnessed his "miracles"...this is a sham!

Bobby Santorini, Singapore, Singapore

I am truly amazed by the condition of Padre Pio's body. When I laid my own father to rest, I had him entombed in a crypt, because I believe that as God's creation we should respect the body of the deceased. In respecting God's creation we are respecting God. We were created in his image. Amen.

Anna, Seaford N.Y, USA

Deemed a fraud in the 60's by the Vatican, and then a saint 30 plus years later.

Typical catholic superstitious rubbish and hypocrisy.

Can I stop laughing now!

Dr. Davies, Swansea,

Padre Pio,what a man.I dont know how I wud respond if u asked me what wud i think about exhuming his body but now that its done i think he should stay out,I went to San Giovanni last yr and i cant wait to go back to see him.Im amazed by him,i believe he is the one that helped me in my life.

Charlotte, Dublin, Ireland

This is not the way the redeemed Jesus Christ 'communicates' with his people. No dead bodies please! People are ignorant and deceived: let's approach the Living One instead and not the dead.

Mario, Sheboygan, USA

I've had a curiosity about Padre Pio from childhood, largely because of my mother's fascination with and respect for Pio's life and works. My mother , now 82, and I planned a religious tour of Italy for her to experience her ancestral and religious roots. When I read that Padre Pio would be exhumed and displayed during the time we would be visiting, I felt it was somehow a sign we were meant to be there to witness it.

The Church will do what it does for its reasons. I will not judge it good or bad. What will come of this exhumation, one cannot say. Perhaps more miracles or more people inspired by Pio's legacy to do good in the world. There is deep beauty in the way he lived that draws people naturally to be a part of it, even his death. I will let God be the orchestrator of all that. I plan to ignore whatever circus may be playing itself out around the event and simply pay my deepest respects to a wonderful man who lived his life in service to others and wish him peace.

Mia, Seattle, WA

I was told by an Italian woman last night. I was told that the body 'would be' intact, not knowing it had alreay been exhumed. I am happy to read it was/is. I may not get to see it here, matters not, however he was a Saint...do NOT ask me how I know this, I just know...Time is short, there is still good out 'there'...look for it, stray from deception..this is a great sadness to the Master....

James, TRENTON, NJ, USA

This wonderful 'Saintly' discovery shows proof in the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church. It shows that GOD is alive & well. Amen!

Vernon , Singapore,

There is only one mediator between God and man and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Titus chapter 2 verse 5. )Not padre pio, 'virgin mary' or the pope of Rome.

heather, new zealand,

To those who believe in God, we know this is indeed another proof of Padre Pio's sanctity!! For those who do not believe in God, no explanation is possible. We are truly blessed and God is once again being blessed through his saints.

Ebony, London,

I am happy to hear they have exhumed the body of St Pio.
This might make the critics realise there is a God.
I have visited San Givonnai three times already.
I am looking forward to going back soon with my family.
God Bless you St Pio.

michael mongan, galway, lreland

God bless Padre Pio!! There are some things in life that are unexplainable and have to be taken on faith alone. What is the use of faith if we don't exercise it. That does not mean we have faith in everything. If the results of a man of God have the effect that he brings people closer to God and helps them to live better lives, this merits our love and devotion to the person who brings us closer to God. Adoration is reserved for God alone. Beseech Padre Pio to represent us before God. The good Padre needs only to be asked in order for him to act on our behalf.

Paul, New Orleans,, La.

Without God I cannot live. The exhumation of the body is important to show the unbeleiver that God is GREAT that everything begins and ends in GOD.
A man who had been diagnosed with many complications in health and had to undergo surgery to save his life sold his house in order fly from Srilanka to Italy and get himself blessed by Padre Pio and to get cured. On his way he found out that Padre Pio had already died and buried, but he continued with his journey and when he reached close to the tomb from a higher elevation he saw the body through a glass cover, but actually there was no glass but a concrete covering. He prayed and picked some roses by the tomb and later wherever he went he was inquired by strangers about the strong fragrance of roses around his person (roses were already dried). In England when he got tests done on his health they all came out clear. He live many years healthy till he died later of old age and later the dried rose petals cured many other incurable

Shirleen Fonseka, Brisbane, Australia

padre pio has been responisble for hundreds of miracles and thank GOD for him i think the way his body has been preserved his another miracle and hundreds of people will get to see him at the shrine and their lives will be richer for it

Angela, Belfast,

I have no problem with the Church exhuming a body to show the world there are Catholics whom God has given special duties while on earth, and they used their gifts for God's purposes. In return, God would want the public to know in some way that the claims made about such saints were true. It really is humbling to know that God must go to such great measures to prove He exists. These beatified saints continue to serve even after they have left our earth, by showing that God is supernatural, and most importantly, that Jesus is the Son of God and our Lord. The stigmata is very holy. I have smelled the magnificent odour of sanctity before while praying with others. There is nothing that can describe it. There are other saints who have appeared to look just as they did in life, and some are still viewed by the public to this day...I believe St. Theresa of Lisoux? (spelling?) Let's not be so quick to criticize what we don't understand. Afterall, isn't faith belief in the unexplainable?

Maureen, West Chester,

All those who are familiar with Church tradition understand many good dynamics behind the exhumation of the body of a Saint. Pope John XVIII's body was not only said to be "in good condition", but incorrupt, as are the bodies of many saints.
Man does not have the technology to preserve bodies in
such a state. When God sees fit to leave a body, or parts of a body, like the tongue of St. Anthony, incorruptable, it is in his infinite wisdom that he works this miracle of nature and it is
also for the good of the faithful.
These are not things we can figure out in our heads. It is amazing to me that a person who might be able to eat popcorn through a disgusting secular horror show, would also have an aversion to the miraculous preservation of a Holy Saint of God.
We live in an age that questions and doubts the Catholic Church, and it is to the increase of sorrow and the loss of so much good that this is so. Jesus raises Saints up in the Church, let us also trust in this wisdom.

Joan Haselman, Roanoke Rapids, NC, USA

Actually, I think it's pretty cool. I certainly don't have a problem with it.

Theo Shannon, Columbus, Ohio

You have to understand... the vatican is a money making machine. They have more money in real estate and other holdings than most banks. Makes you wonder about a rich man making in into heaven being harder than a camel thru the eye of a needle.

Dan Henderson, Downey, California

This is disgusting.
I hope they don't exhume me to mark the 40th anniversary of my death. I can't believe people do things like this, especially to those who they are supposed to admire and respect. Exhuming and displaying a saint is something I never imagined the Vatican would dream of.

Wm O'Brien BSc, Norwich, england

Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Padre Pio's closest living relative (Pia Pennelli and her family) I understand were extremely vocal in their opposition to this exhumation. It doesn't seem like that matters anymore. But it does seem as if Padre Pio has now become a circus and cash cow. Just visit San Giovanni and see if you agree.

I feel VERY uncomfortable with this news. And I really do not care what shape his body is in. We all knew what his life was all about and he was made a saint. What more can they demand of poor Francesco Forgionne?

Thom, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Somehow the thought of Jesus thinking it worthwhile to be exhuming or canonizing anyone seems preposterous.

Tim Robinson, Great Yarmouth, UK