St. Pio of Petrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, was born Francesco Forgione, in 1887. Along with these wounds, Pio suffered from health problems and was forced to live apart from his community for the first six years of his priesthood. During 1917 and 1918, Padre Pio briefly served in a medical unit of the Italian army. Padre Pio was known for his patient suffering and his fervent prayer. He also lent his efforts to the establishment of a major hospital, the “Home to Relieve Suffering.”Padre Pio died in 1968.