On 12 December 2017, the project for the Cittadella di Padre Pio was presented to the press, media and local institutions.
The conference was held in Vibo Valentia, at the “Complesso del Valentianum”, attended by Irene Gaeta, chairperson of the association, by architect and project manager Luciano Messina, by Marcella Marletta, Director General of the Ministry for Health and Scientific Director of the association. Also present and supporting the initiative were entrepreneurs Filippo Callipo, Floriano Noto and Giuseppe Caffo.
The association explained the project of public interest, indicated by Saint Pio of Pietrelcina to Irene Gaeta, his spiritual child, in December 2004. The efforts made in pharmacological research were illustrated, along with the use of active principles extracted from the medicinal herbs that grow wild in the soil, geological research and the water, a fundamental element of the project together with the goal of receiving and treating children and the needy from all over the world, southern Italy in particular.
The press conference also dealt with the efforts made by the association “I Discepoli di Padre Pio” to carry out the request of the Saint and to reach an objective that seemed to be unachievable, thanks to the major sacrifices of the association members and the donations of many benefactors. The initiative is the expression of love and charity, the model and driving force behind all of the works of the association “I Discepoli di Padre Pio”.