The American actor who will be Padre Pio as a young man has been chosen

The American actor Shia LaBeouf, 35, will play the role of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) in the film to be directed by director Abel Ferrara.

LaBeouf will play the Capuchin parish priest during his youth. To immerse himself in the character, the actor spent time in a Franciscan monastery. Filming will begin in October in Italy.

Brother Hai Ho, from California (USA), worked with the actor and praised his edition: "It was nice to meet Shia and learn about his story, as well as sharing religious life, Jesus and the Capuchins with him," said the religious .

The American said he was impressed to find people "who indulge in something so divine". “I am Shia LaBeouf and I am completely immersed in something much bigger than me. I don't know if I've ever met a group of men immersed in anything in my life. It is very attractive to see people 'surrendering' to something so divine and it is comforting to know that there is a fraternity like this. Since I've been here, I've only found grace. I am very honored to meet you. We are making a film, I, Abel Ferrara and William DaFoe, we are making a film called 'Padre Pio', about the great Padre Pio, and we are trying to get as close as possible to the precise description of what it means to be a friar. And trying to get as close as possible to the human and tangible relationship that this man had with Christ. And we are bringing the Good News to the world ”.

In 2014, the Transformers star he had such a profound experience while filming "Iron Hearts" that he abandoned Judaism and became a Christian. “I found God when I took part in 'Hearts of Iron'. I became a Christian… in a real way, ”he said at the time.