The Vatican turns away followers of the 'new Padre Pio'

ROME February 27, 2007 (Telegraph UK) -- To his thousands of followers in Italy and around the world he is the new Padre Pio.

Like the country's ever-popular 20th Century saint, who displayed stigmata for the last 50 years of his life, Brother Elia is revered. With his face, hands and feet appearing covered in blood each Easter, he has earned celebrity status and his fans range from the country's poorest to World Cup-winning footballer Francesco Totti.

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Tags: Brother Elia, Padre Pio, Stigmata