Incorrupt heart of Padre Pio draws huge crowd, long queues at UST

The incorrupt heart of Padre Pio has drawn a huge crowd at the University of Santo Tomas with lines of those who want to see the relic reaching Dapitan and P. Noval Streets.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo's report on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho", the afternoon rains failed to deter those who wanted to attend the mass and the procession while the relic was at the pontifical university.

Father Louie Coronel, parish priest of the UST Santisimo Rosario Parish, said Catholics are close to Padre Pio because of his teachings on faith in God.

Many Filipinos, particularly those who are praying for healing, seek Padre Pio's intercession.

Padre Pio is known for his stigmata or the wounds comparable to those of Christ when he was crucified.

He died in 1968 and was canonized in 2002.

The relic arrived over the weekend was first taken to Santo Tomas in Batangas.

It is scheduled to be taken to the Manila Cathedral on Tuesday morning before making stops in Cebu and in Davao. —NB, GMA News