Pope Francis has approved a Catholic spiritual devotion centred in Medjugorje, a town in Bosnia that has been steeped in controversy over whether the Virgin Mary appears to local people, the Vatican said on Thursday.

The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) presented a document titled “The Queen of Peace” at a press conference today. It recognises the abundant “spiritual fruits” of Medjugorje and grants approval for the devotions linked to the shrine.

Pope Francis has approved a Catholic devotion centered in Medjugorje, Bosnia, recognizing its positive spiritual impact, though not confirming supernatural apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Medjugorje has drawn pilgrims since reported visions in 1981.

While it offers no definitive judgment on the supernatural authenticity of the alleged apparitions, the Vatican’s report highlights the abundant good fruits that have come from Medjugorje.

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.