Rome, Italy, May 7, 2008 / 23:37 pm
An Italian business magazine is claiming that the shrine dedicated to St. Padre Pio has become a bigger attraction than Lourdes, now that the saint’s body has been put on display.
ANSA reports that Economy magazine says the number of annual visitors to the southern town of San Giovanni Rotondo will increase to nine million. The projected total will make the town the world’s second most popular destination for religious tourists, behind only the Vatican.
Pilgrims to the shrine at Lourdes usually number eight million per year.
Economy magazine calculates that Padre Pio’s shrine will bring $185 million in revenue from sales of souvenirs, two periodicals, a satellite TV station, and pilgrims’ offerings to the otherwise impoverished region.