The Vatican has issued a statement recognizing the spiritual benefits arising from the pilgrimage site of Medjugorje, where claims of apparitions of the Virgin Mary first emerged in June 1981.
This acknowledgment comes amidst ongoing debates regarding the authenticity of these reported visions.
In a document titled “The Queen of Peace,” published on Thursday by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and Msgr. Armando Matteo noted that many “positive fruits” have developed from the Medjugorje experience, including increased conversions and a revival of sacramental participation among pilgrims. While the Vatican affirmed that pilgrims are encouraged to visit for spiritual enrichment, it refrained from declaring the apparitions as supernatural or authentic.
Medjugorje, located in present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, became a significant pilgrimage destination, attracting over a million visitors annually. Since the initial visions reported by a group of young individuals, some of the original visionaries have claimed to continue receiving messages from the Virgin Mary, often promoting themes of peace and reconciliation.
The Vatican’s earlier approval of pilgrimages to the site in 2019 set the stage for this recent acknowledgment. While the document supports public acts of devotion, it stresses that the faithful are not obligated to accept the visions as genuine. The term “nihil obstat,” indicating no objection to the site for devotional practices, was also affirmed, allowing for the possibility of future developments, including the establishment of a sanctuary.
The Vatican highlighted the positive spiritual outcomes of the Medjugorje phenomenon, citing personal transformations and charitable actions resulting from pilgrimages. However, concerns about the motivations of the visionaries and the commercial aspects of the site have persisted. The document advised pilgrims to seek a connection with the Virgin Mary rather than with the visionaries themselves.
Pope Francis previously expressed skepticism regarding the messages from Medjugorje, emphasizing a more personal and maternal role for Mary. Nevertheless, the Vatican’s latest assessment appears to reflect a more nuanced stance, encouraging devotion while acknowledging the complexities surrounding the reported apparitions.
The decision has significant implications for the local economy, which has benefitted from the influx of religious tourism. As the site continues to draw pilgrims, the Vatican will oversee future communications from the visionaries, ensuring alignment with Church teachings.
The Associated Press, FOX News, and New York Post contributed to this report.
