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:
While the Catholic Church officially recognizes the building as a sacred site of pilgrimage, the Chiesa viva feature remains a cornerstone of sedevacantist and ultra-traditionalist critiques of modern Church architecture. To these groups, the building remains a "temple" to the very forces Padre Pio famously spent his life battling in the confessional. Expand map Modern Controversy Historical Sites THE PAPACY: AN EXPOSE - Catholic Tradition
: Critics argued that the church lacked traditional Christian symbols, such as a visible crucifix or typical altar placements, in favor of abstract designs.
: Traditionalists often cite the violent storm and torrential rain that occurred during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the church in 2009 as a "warning from Heaven" or a "punishment from God" against the "monstrosity" of the building. The Architectural Context
: It sits adjacent to the older Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie , where Padre Pio lived and worked. Legacy of the Controversy
