Pope Speaks on Medjugorje Incident, Sends Special Message to Youth

Pope Francis has sent a special message to young people gathered for the annual Mladifest festival in Medjugorje, urging them to follow Jesus and seek the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The Pope's words were conveyed by Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, the apostolic visitor for the Medjugorje parish.

The Pontiff's encouragement comes just days after a 31-year-old Polish national, Bartłomiej Włodzimierz Krakowiak, was arrested for allegedly defacing statues of the Virgin Mary with black paint and setting fire to an outdoor altar at the Church of St. James. He has been remanded in custody for 30 days.

Despite the vandalism, the Mladifest festival, a major international gathering for Catholic youth, has proceeded as planned. The event has drawn participants from 73 countries, with the program translated into 18 languages. It features prayer, catechesis, testimonies, Masses, and processions.

The damaged altar was quickly repaired and used for services attended by tens of thousands of young pilgrims. Medjugorje has been a significant pilgrimage site since 1981, following claims of apparitions of the Virgin Mary. In 2024, the Vatican issued a statement acknowledging the piety associated with Medjugorje but did not confirm the supernatural nature of the alleged apparitions.

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The Holy Father encourages young people to let themselves be guided by the Holy Spirit and to entrust themselves to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, so that they may become bright witnesses of the joyful news, promoters of fraternity and builders of peace in society.