The issue of Marian apparitions in Medjugorje stirs considerable controversy among the faithful and those outside the Church. Some are convinced of the events' authenticity, while others harbor significant doubts.

The Vatican on Thursday approved the spiritual devotion centred in Medjugorie, Bosnia, over its "positive fruit" for Catholics. The green light to the cult of a pilgrimage site where the Virgin Mary is alleged to have appeared came from the Vatican's doctrinal office with Pope Francis' approval.

Pope Francis has expressed some doubts on the messages, commenting in 2013 on the Virgin Mary’s particularly chatty nature at Medjugorje.