Medjugorje latest news

Medjugorje is a Catholic pilgrimage site in Bosnia and Herzegovina where six people, including four teenagers, reported seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1981. The site has since become a popular destination for pilgrims from around the world. Here are some of the latest news and updates about Medjugorje:

Pope Francis' Decision

In October 2019, Pope Francis announced that he would not be declaring Medjugorje a Marian shrine, despite the site's popularity and the reported apparitions. The Pope instead decided to establish a commission to study the apparitions and gather more information before making a decision.

Commission's Report

In June 2020, the commission established by Pope Francis released its report on the Medjugorje apparitions. The report concluded that while the apparitions were not definitively approved, they were also not definitively condemned. The commission recommended that the Pope allow pilgrims to continue visiting the site while the investigation continued.

New Bishop's Statement

In August 2020, the new Bishop of Mostar, Ratko Perić, issued a statement on Medjugorje. Bishop Perić, who has been a vocal critic of the apparitions, stated that he would not allow any further apparitions to be recognized at the site until the Vatican's investigation was complete.

Pilgrimage Numbers

Despite the controversy surrounding the apparitions, Medjugorje remains a popular pilgrimage site. In 2020, the site welcomed over 1.5 million pilgrims, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Apparitions

In recent years, new apparitions have been reported at Medjugorje, including a reported apparition of the Virgin Mary to a pilgrim in 2020. However, these apparitions have not been officially recognized by the Catholic Church.

Vatican Investigation

The Vatican's investigation into the Medjugorje apparitions is ongoing. The investigation is being led by a commission established by Pope Francis, which includes experts in theology, canon law, and psychology.

Pilgrimage Events

Medjugorje hosts various pilgrimage events throughout the year, including the annual Youth Festival, which attracts thousands of young people from around the world. The site also hosts daily Masses, rosary processions, and other spiritual activities.

Recent Developments

In recent months, there have been reports of increased activity at Medjugorje, including reports of miraculous healings and apparitions. However, these reports have not been officially confirmed by the Catholic Church.

Overall, Medjugorje remains a popular pilgrimage site, despite the controversy surrounding the apparitions. The site continues to attract pilgrims from around the world, who come to pray, reflect, and seek spiritual guidance.