Pope Francis approves visits to contested Bosnian shrine
The village became a major pilgrimage site, attracting thousands each year and giving many visitors 'spiritual renewal'
Vatican City — Pope Francis has approved pilgrimages to Medjugorje, a village in Bosnia that is steeped in controversy over whether the Madonna appears to local people, the Vatican said on Sunday. However, spokesperson Alessandro Gisotti said that the official approval should not be interpreted as church authentication of the alleged apparitions, because more investigation and study was needed. Six children first reported visions of the Virgin Mary in 1981 in a scenario reminiscent of famous apparitions in the French town of Lourdes in the 19th century and more than 100 years ago in Fatima in Portugal. In the following years, investing based on environmental, social and governance more broadly has moved from the margins. It has increasingly become less about charity and being seen to be good and more about survival, partly as a result of pressure.. The pilgrimages, which include faithful from as far away from North America and Asia, took place although they were not officially au...
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