The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith announced today, Thursday, an official positive opinion on the spiritual fruits of the alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the town of Medjugorje, located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, presented an official note titled "Our Lady of Peace" at a press conference held at the Vatican Press Office. This 17-page document has been approved by Pope Francis. It details the Congregation's views on the alleged apparitions, coming 43 years after the apparitions began in 1981 and following several stages during which the Vatican and the local bishops' conference investigated these "apparitions."