on Medjugorje established in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI and chaired by Cardinal Camillo Ruini reportedly voted 13-1 to confirm the supernatural origin of the first seven occurrences of the apparition only. In addition, Commission members also voted to recommend lifting the Holy See ban on official diocesan and parish pilgrimages to Medjugorje and for turning the town's parish Church of St. James into a pontifical shrine under Holy See oversight. The move, the commission indicated, would not signify recognition of the apparitions, but would acknowledge the faith and pastoral needs of the pilgrims while ensuring a proper accounting of donations. However, Pope Francis also mentioned that The Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, which reviewed the Ruini report and other material to which it was privy, expressed doubts about both the phenomenon and the Ruini report. The final decision will be made by the Pope after Polish Archbishop Henryk Hoser has completed his examination of the pastoral situation in Medjugorje. Authorization of Pilgrimage Made Official According to Massimiliano Menichetti from Vatican News, on May 12, 2019, Pope Francis authorized pilgrimages to Medjugorje considering the "considerable flow of people who go to Medjugorje and the abundant fruits of grace that have sprung from it." These pilgrimages can now be officially organized by dioceses and parishes even though the authentication of these visions has not been granted. The first sanctioned pilgrimage then took place for five days from August 2–6, 2019. During the pilgrimage, approximately 60,000 young Catholics from 97 different countries took part in the celebration of a youth festival. Fourteen archbishops and bishops and about 700 Catholic priests joined the festivities as well. Gian Franco Svidercoschi, who co-wrote the book "Gift and Mystery" with Pope John Paul II, and others, suggests that the Church has drawn a distinction between the "apparitions" and Medjugorje as a place of prayer. The general position seems to be that the spiritual fruits are undeniable. See also Our Lady of Medjugorje Radio Maria References External links Phillips, Francis. "Medjugorje is generating what the Devil loves most: disobedience", Catholic Herald, 11 February 2011 Pullella, Philip. "Pope hints at position on Medjugorje 'apparitions'", Reuters, 9 June 2015 Povoledo, Elisabetta. "Church Inquiry May Pit Pope Against a Popular Bosnian Shrine", The New York Times, 16 August 2015 Catholic pilgrimage sites Catholicism-related controversies Catholic Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina Čitluk, Bosnia and Herzegovina