PIO PADRE: (1887-1968) Italian Franciscan friar, priest, stigmatist & mystic who was beatified (1999) and canonized ...

PIO PADRE: (1887-1968) Italian Franciscan friar, priest, stigmatist & mystic who was beatified (1999) and canonized (2002) by Pope John Paul II and is also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. An attractive colour printed 4to cardstock image of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms, issued by the Santa Maria Delle Grazie (Church of Holy Mary of Grace) in Milan, signed ('P. Pio Capp[uccin]o') by Padre Pio in fountain pen ink to the lower border alongside printed text, further adding a sentiment in his hand, in Italian, 'Maria ti guardi sempre con occhio materno', ('Mary always looks at you with a maternal eye'). A contemporary ink note in an unidentified hand to the verso indicates that the signature dates from 9th May 1962. Rare. About EX The church and Dominican convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie famously houses Leonardo da Vinci's mural of The Last Supper in the refectory of the convent.