People flocked to Padre Pio. Generally, they were men and women who wanted to leave behind a life of sin. He led them to God. His methods of conversion were matter for discussion. Padre Pio could be quite blunt and even, at times, violent; this was rather misleading. There were profound reasons for this behavior. It was pointed out to him that his harshness was disconcerting and could distance souls from him. He replied, “I treat souls as God wants me to treat them.” And
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