Pietrelcina, hometown of Padre Pio, unveiled a new statue of its patron saint this fall, and it’s a truly remarkable piece of art. The statue pays tribute to the role of the U.S. in the life of St. Pio, and the site is expected to be a go-to destination in 2022, when Pietrelcina celebrates the 20th anniversary of Pio’s canonization by Pope St. John Paul II.

Padre Pio never visited the U.S., but he did come in contact with American troops during World War II, and it was these soldiers who promoted the saint’s legacy in the United States. Since then, the Campania-born saint has become a beloved icon among Italian Americans.