Clairvoyant couple accused of staging apparitions and soliciting donations
A self‑styled clairvoyant, Gisella Cardia (born Maria Giuseppa Scarpulla), and her husband, Gianni Cardia, have been charged with fraud after prosecutors in Civitavecchia say the pair solicited nearly €400,000 (about $465,000) from pilgrims who travelled to a private field outside Rome to pray before a statuette known as the Madonna of Trevignano.
Court documents and media reports say the statue was presented as shedding tears of blood and relaying messages that Gisella Cardia attributed alternately to God and to Satan. The couple established a shrine around the statuette and organised regular prayer gatherings, during which Gisella Cardia preached and drew followers from across the region.
Allegations and investigation
Prosecutors allege the couple staged the so‑called "apparitions" and simulated blood streaming from the statue's eyes to encourage donations, promising the funds would go to a children’s hospital. Investigators say the money was instead spent on improvements to the pilgrimage site, other expenses and a car valued at roughly $40,000, and that the sums were not handled or declared as taxed religious donations.
"Forensic testing examined the blood and found it matched Gisella Cardia’s DNA," said geneticist Emiliano Giardina of the public prosecutor's office in Civitavecchia, according to court records.
The probe intensified in 2023 after a former follower contacted police. He later told state broadcaster RAI he had discovered a coffin in his car after an alleged confrontation with Gisella Cardia, prompting authorities to open a formal investigation.
Claims of miraculous food multiplication
Several witnesses told reporters that small amounts of food — a single pizza box or a plate of gnocchi — appeared to feed dozens of people at Cardia’s prayer meetings. One woman described to a local station (reported by RAI) how a pizza seemed to be "never ending" as attendees kept taking pieces. Cardia herself told La Repubblica she once served gnocchi and rabbit to about 15 people and said the pot never seemed to empty while she was dishing it out.
Reaction and next steps
The Vatican issued a warning when the investigation became public, urging pilgrims to be cautious about "the alleged apparitions and revelations reported by Mrs. Gisella Cardia… and by Mr. Gianni Cardia," and stating the events had been judged not to be supernatural. The couple have been denounced by the Vatican.
Their lawyer, Solange Marchignoli, told CNN that Cardia feels "relieved" and views the trial as an opportunity to "transparently reveal the truth of the facts" and to put an end to speculation. The couple are due to stand trial in April.
Context — The case has drawn public attention because it combines claims of supernatural occurrences with alleged financial exploitation of devoted followers. Authorities will determine at trial whether the events were deliberately staged to solicit donations.
