A question presented to me about Padre Pio

A new Catholic recently asked me my thoughts on Padre Pio.

He is certainly one of the more celebrated saints of modern time and he is canononized (2002).

Further, I have read the book by Ruffin about him.

All that being said, I have not found myself devoted to him as much as other people I know.

I have said the chaplet of the Sacred Heart on occasions, that he was said to be quite devoted to and have included him in a few personal litanies of my own.

Yet, for some reason, (that I can't fully explain), he has not broken through as one of those everyday saints that I implore on a daily basis like Therese and Bernadette and, of course, Joseph and the Blessed Mother. At least not yet.

As I said, I'm not exactly sure of the reason(s). It is possible that it is because there is so much unconfirmed legend around the man that it's hard to discern all of what is true and what might be some embellishment.

For example, in the book, Ruffin reports that Padre Pio comfoted a priest after the assasination of John F Kennedy, that prayer wasn't necessary because Kennedy was 'already in paradise'.

As devoted as I am to JFK and with the fact that my next 2 weekends are dedicated to him, I'd like nothing more than to believe this. However, it is a third-party anecdote of a private revelation with no binding authoritative declaration from the church. JFK has not been canonized as a saint so prudence and obedience would require we pray for him while still hoping this story ends up being accurate.

Your question has stirred me to go deeper into the mystery of Saint Pio. Thank you.