Official Vatican announcements or statements from the Holy Office

Pope Francis Gives Tentative Green Light to Devotion at Medjugorje Amid Apparition Controversy

Sep 19, 2024, 11:02 AM

Pope Francis has approved a Catholic spiritual devotion centered in Medjugorje, a town in Bosnia that has been steeped in controversy over reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary. The Vatican's Holy Office has issued a note on the alleged apparitions, which have been reported for 43 years, and has instructed the issuance of a 'Nihil obstat' (nothing objectionable) for the messages. The Vatican's decision recognizes the 'positive fruits' in the town's spiritual experience for pilgrims. This decision allows for devotion at the site, despite ongoing debates about the authenticity of the apparitions. The approval is tentative, giving a green light to devotion at the site.