The Vatican said Thursday it recognised the shrine of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, without commenting on the Virgin's "alleged messages" to the faithful, who have gathered there in the millions for more than 40 years.
In a 17-page document approved by Pope Francis, the powerful Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith said it wanted to "conclude a long and complex history that has surrounded the spiritual phenomena of Medjugorje", which have fuelled "a series of divergent opinions" within the Catholic community.
