Padre Pio's body was exhumed on the 2nd of March 2008. This followed months of speculation that his body would be prepared for public veneration. There are two important anniversaries this year - it will be 40 years since Padre Pio's death and 90 years since he received the stigmata - it is thought the period of public veneration will be part of the celebrations to mark these events.

Reports attributed to the Capuchin Friars within the Friary say that "parts of the body" had been found to be "intact". Archbishop D'Ambrosio of Foggia is quoted as saying the body was in "surprisingly good condition. As soon as we got inside the tomb we could clearly make out the beard. The top part of the skull is partly skeletal but the chin is perfect and the rest of the body is well preserved. The knees, hands, mittens and nails are clearly visible ......" He went on to say "the signs of the stigmata are not visible. The robes are also still intact and his feet are visible because, as is customary, capuchin monks are buried shoeless."

Padre Pio's body is expected to be placed in a "glass coffin" and put on display from the 24th of April for several months, possibly till his feast day on the 23rd of Sept.