Satanic Temple To P. Pio - Chiesa Viva -

In its July-August 2008 issue, Chiesa viva published a provocative cover story titled . The magazine claimed that the architecture of the new sanctuary, which was inaugurated on July 1, 2004, was not a Catholic church but rather a structure designed to glorify Freemasonry and Luciferian ideals. Key Arguments from Chiesa viva

: The church was funded by devotees and designed to accommodate over 6,000 pilgrims with an expansive, fan-like structure that opens toward the town.

Father Luigi Villa, who claimed to have received a mandate from Padre Pio himself to investigate Masonic infiltration in the Church, detailed several perceived "scandals" within the building's design: Satanic Temple to P. Pio - Chiesa viva

: The magazine pointed to the use of triangles, specific floor patterns, and the "broken" cross as evidence of a hidden Masonic agenda.

: Critics argued that the church lacked traditional Christian symbols, such as a visible crucifix or typical altar placements, in favor of abstract designs. In its July-August 2008 issue, Chiesa viva published

: It sits adjacent to the older Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie , where Padre Pio lived and worked. Legacy of the Controversy

The claim that a "Satanic Temple" was built for Padre Pio is a central thesis of a long-standing controversy promoted by the traditionalist Italian magazine , founded by Father Luigi Villa . The feature explores the allegations that the contemporary Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church in San Giovanni Rotondo—designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano—contains hidden Masonic and occult symbolism. The Origin of the Allegation Father Luigi Villa, who claimed to have received

The building in question is the in San Giovanni Rotondo: Architect : Renzo Piano , known for modernist designs.