The Italian business magazine Economy is forecasting that in the future, 9 million people will visit Padre Pio’s shrine in San Giovanni Rotondo each year.If that prediction proves accurate, Padre Pio's shrine will surpass the Marian shrine at Lourdes, which now draws about 8 million pilgrims annually.
Only the Vatican attracts more religious tourism.
Economy predicts that the shrine's popularity will soar now that Padre Pio’s body is on display.
Due to popular demand the period of the body’s showing has already been extended to September 2009; original plans had been for the public veneration to continue only for a few months.
The saint's massive worldwide following is said to include many celebrities, including Sophia Loren, the late writer Graham Greene, Irish soccer player Damien Duff (who reportedly played with a relic of the saint in one of his boots), and Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of the AC Milan soccer team, who prays to the saint during games.
One Catholic magazine once found that far more Italian Catholics pray to Padre Pio than to Jesus or Mary.
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