Vatican and Medjugorje

Official Documents and Messages

Overview of official documents, statements, and letters of the Holy See related to the spiritual phenomena and pastoral care in Medjugorje.

On February 11, 2017, the Holy Father entrusted Mons. Henryk Hoser, SAC, Archbishop of Warsaw-Praga (Poland), to go to Medjugorje as the Special Envoy of the Holy See.

The purpose of the mission is to gain deeper insights into the pastoral situation of this reality, and above all, into the needs of the faithful who go there on pilgrimage, and based on these, to suggest possible pastoral initiatives for the future. Therefore, the mission will have an exclusively pastoral character.

It is planned that Mons. Hoser, who will continue to serve as Archbishop of Warsaw-Praga, will complete his mission by the end of the upcoming summer.

Today, February 11, 2017, at noon, on the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, the Holy See Press Office announced that His Holiness Pope Francis appointed a Special Envoy of the Holy See for Medjugorje in the person of His Excellency Mons. Henryk Hoser, SAC, Polish Archbishop, current Ordinary of Warsaw-Praga.

In the name of the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province, entrusted with the pastoral care of the parish of Međugorje, I express filial gratitude to the Roman Pontiff, the Holy Father Francis, for his genuine pastoral care and attention manifested in this appointment.

At the same time, I warmly welcome His Excellency, Archbishop Hoser. This Province and the Franciscans who carry out pastoral work in Međugorje respectfully and faithfully receive the appointed Special Envoy of the Holy See, affirming sincere and full cooperation as well as their prayers for fruitful and blessed work in fulfilling the entrusted mission.

In Mostar, February 11, 2017.

Friar Miljenko Šteko, Provincial

After Sarajevo and Mostar, the special envoy of the Holy See for the parish of Međugorje, Mons. Henryk Hoser, accompanied by the provincial of the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province, Fr. Miljenko Šteka, also arrived in Međugorje. In the afternoon hours on Wednesday, March 29, he was welcomed in front of the parish house by Fr. Marinko Šakota, the parish priest of Međugorje, the Franciscan friars, the Franciscan sisters serving in Međugorje, as well as the gathered parishioners and pilgrims. Children from the Međugorje parish also presented him with flowers. After that, Mons. Hoser proceeded to the parish church of St. James, where he spent some time in prayer, then expressed words of gratitude to all who welcomed him in Međugorje, and invoked God's blessing upon all present. Mons. Hoser thus begins his mission entrusted to him by Pope Francis. Let us recall that on February 11, 2017, the Holy Father entrusted Mons. Henryk Hoser, Archbishop of Warsaw-Praga (Poland), with the task of visiting Međugorje as a special envoy of the Holy See. The purpose of this mission is to gain deeper insight into the pastoral situation of this reality, especially regarding the needs of the faithful who come there on pilgrimage, and then to suggest possible pastoral initiatives for the future. Therefore, the mission has exclusively a pastoral character.

Mons. Henryk Hoser, the special envoy of the Holy See for the parish of Međugorje, addressed those gathered in the parish church of St. James on the occasion of his arrival with the following words:

"We find ourselves in a place where a multitude of pilgrims gather. Together, we pray for the intercession of the Mother of God, that she may open our hearts to God's grace, that she may also open our minds to God's grace, to grace, to the Church's teaching, and to the Word of God. Our life is the Holy Spirit, and He is the soul of the Church. We seek God's truth, God's truth about ourselves, and we also seek God's truth about man. This place of prayer is now known throughout the whole world. The Holy Father is very interested in the development of popular piety that takes place in this place. This is also part of my mission—to evaluate the pastoral care of this place and to propose guidelines that should be realized in the future. I come from a country that nurtures exceptional devotion to the Mother of God. Mary is the Queen of Poland. I wish for all of you to make Mary the Queen of your life. For now, that is all," said Archbishop Hoser, invoking God's blessing on everyone.

Sunday (22 July) was a special and blessed day for the parish of Medjugorje, but also for all pilgrims around the world who hold Medjugorje dear to their hearts.

Already with the announcement by which Pope Francis on May 31 appointed Archbishop Henryk Hoser, the former Special Envoy of the Holy See, as Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Međugorje, the day of Monsignor Hoser’s beginning of service in Međugorje was eagerly awaited. When it was announced on Thursday that Monsignor Hoser would begin his service with a Mass in the church of St. James, the joy of the parishioners and pilgrims knew no bounds. The vast space of the outdoor altar of the church of St. James was filled before the start of the Sunday evening program, and the praying of the rosary was a preparation for the solemn Holy Mass. To the sounds of the entrance hymn of the large choir "Queen of Peace," Monsignor Henryk Hoser, the apostolic visitor, Monsignor Luigi Pezzuto, apostolic nuncio in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the provincial of the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province Fra Miljenko Šteko, the parish priest of Međugorje Fra Marinko Šakota, and numerous concelebrating priests arrived in procession at the altar area. The Mass celebration began with the reading of the papal bull of appointment, read in Italian by Nuncio Luigi Pezzuto and in Croatian by the parish priest Fra Marinko Šakota.

Words of greeting and welcome were expressed by the provincial Fra Miljenko Šteko, emphasizing that this Eucharist in Međugorje has a "special historical significance because with us here for the first time is the apostolic nuncio, Monsignor Luigi Pezzuto, who directly represents the Holy Father and the Apostolic See in Bosnia and Herzegovina."

-Thank you, Your Excellency, for this visit, and I extend to you the warmest welcome greetings! Please convey our gratitude to the Supreme Priest for his pastoral dedication to the Church, which is also evident in this appointment, said Fr. Miljenko Šteko, who also addressed appropriate welcoming words to Mons. Hoser.

-Dear Archbishop Hoser! At this moment of grace, I warmly greet you on behalf of all gathered! On behalf of the Franciscan Province in Herzegovina, I wish you a blessed stay among us in the mission entrusted to you by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. With deep respect and love, we accept your arrival, entrusted to you by the Roman Pontiff himself, the presider of the universal Church communion. May the strength of the Holy Spirit renew us so that from this evening under your guidance we may advance on our pilgrimage journey!, said, among other things, in his welcoming speech Fr. Miljenko Šteko.

The Mass was celebrated in Latin, presided over by Mons. Henryk Hoser. In the homily he delivered, the apostolic visitor said that the Holy Father, the universal shepherd of the Church, takes the words of the prophet and sends shepherds where people exist and live, where the faithful gather seeking the light of salvation.

-Pilgrims come to Medjugorje from distant regions, from approximately 80 countries around the world. Distance represents space measured in kilometers traveled. To cover those kilometers, one needs strong and determined motivation, as well as access to means of transportation important for making those journeys possible.

But the word "distance" means something more: distance represents the existential situation of many who have moved away from God, from Christ, from their Church, and from the light that gives meaning to life, directs it, and gives it a worthy life goal, which is a life worth living.

Now we can better understand why the Holy Father sent an Apostolic Visitor to Medjugorje: pastoral care requires providing stable and continuous accompaniment to the parish community in Medjugorje, as well as to the faithful who come on pilgrimage, said Monsignor Hoser, who then posed what he called the "fundamental question: why do so many people come to Medjugorje every year?"

-The answer that presents itself is this: they come to meet someone: to meet God, to meet Christ, to meet His Mother. And then to discover the path that leads to the joy of living in the house of the Father and the Mother; and finally to discover the Marian path, as the surest way. This is the path of devotion to Mary that has been taking place here for years, that is, "the sacred liturgy in which flows the pinnacle of wisdom and the pinnacle of faith, and therefore it is the primary task of the People of God," said Mons. Hoser, adding that it is truly a Christocentric devotion.

-This is what popular devotion in Medjugorje looks like: at the center is the Holy Mass, Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, widespread reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, all accompanied by other forms of devotion: the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross, which at first turned sharp stones into smooth paths, said Mons. Hoser in his homily.

At the Mass that marked the beginning of a new era for the parish of Međugorje and the pilgrims, parish priest Fr. Marinko Šakota offered words of welcome. He thanked the nuncio, Pope Francis for appointing the apostolic visitor, and Mons. Hoser for accepting the office and coming to Međugorje. Then Fr. Marinko presented him with a gift from the parish of Međugorje – the Holy Scripture and flowers. At the Mass, along with thousands of pilgrims, there were 118 concelebrants, including the bishop of the Diocese of Alessandria in Italy, Mons. Guido Gallese.

On May 31, 2018, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Henryk Hoser, the former Special Envoy of the Holy See, as Apostolic Visitor with a special mandate for the parish of Međugorje.

Archbishop Hoser will begin his ministry in Međugorje with a solemn Holy Mass on Sunday, July 22 at 7 p.m.

We invite all our parishioners and pilgrims to participate in this solemn Mass celebration.

On May 31, 2018, the Holy Father appointed Archbishop Henryk Hoser, S.A.C., retired Bishop of Warsaw-Praga (Poland), as Apostolic Visitor with a special mandate for the parish of Međugorje, for an indefinite period and ad nutum Sanctae Sedis.

This is an exclusively pastoral service, continuing the mission of the Special Envoy of the Holy See for the parish of Međugorje, which was entrusted to Mons. Hoser on February 11, 2017, and which he completed in recent months.

The purpose of the mission of the Apostolic Visitor is to ensure firm and lasting pastoral care for the parish community in Međugorje and for the faithful who come there on pilgrimage, whose needs require particular attention.

The Holy See Press Office today at noon, May 31, 2018, published the following news:

"Statement: Appointment of the Apostolic Visitor with a special mandate for the parish of Medjugorje

On May 31, 2018, the Holy Father appointed Archbishop Henryk Hoser, S.A.C., retired Bishop of Warsaw-Praga (Poland), as Apostolic Visitor with a special mandate for the parish of Medjugorje, for an indefinite period and ad nutum Sanctae Sedis.

This is exclusively a pastoral service, continuing the mission of the Special Envoy of the Holy See for the parish of Medjugorje, which was entrusted to Mons. Hoser on February 11, 2017, and which he completed in recent months.

The purpose of the mission of the Apostolic Visitor is to ensure firm and lasting accompaniment of the parish community in Medjugorje and the faithful who come there on pilgrimage, whose needs require special attention."

I am pleased that on this occasion, on behalf of the Franciscan Province of Herzegovina, which in this local Church, institutionally and through its members, has been entrusted with the pastoral care of the parish of Medjugorje, I can express sincere gratitude to the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis, who holds full, immediate, and universal pastoral authority in the Church.

We welcome the former Special Envoy of the Holy See for Medjugorje, His Excellency Archbishop Henryk Hoser, now appointed Apostolic Visitor with a special role and powers, with the same respect and loyalty.

It belongs to the appointed Archbishop, by the authority and power of the mission, to provide all clarifications regarding the mission entrusted to him by the Holy Father Francis.

Peace and all good!

In Mostar, May 31, 2018.

Friar Miljenko Šteko, Provincial

Pope Francis has made a decision approving pilgrimages to Medjugorje, which from now on dioceses and parishes will be able to officially organize and will no longer be only in a “private” form as it has been until now.

This was announced at the morning Mass on May 12 in the parish-shrine in Medjugorje, which has become a destination for millions of pilgrims, by the Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mons. Luigi Pezzuto, and Mons. Henryk Hoser, Apostolic Visitor of the Holy See with a special mandate for Medjugorje, reports Vatican News, as relayed by IKA.

Pope Francis has decreed that pilgrimages to Medjugorje may be organized "always taking care to avoid interpreting these pilgrimages as recognition of the well-known events which still require examination by the Church. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid these pilgrimages creating any confusion or ambiguity in a doctrinal sense. This also applies to pastors of every order and degree who wish to go to Medjugorje and there celebrate or concelebrate solemnly," explained the interim director of the Holy See Press Office, Alessandro Gisotti, responding on May 12 to journalists' questions regarding the Pope's decision.

Thirty shrines and places of prayer from around the world, including Medjugorje, will each day in May pray the Rosary for the end of the pandemic, as part of a prayer marathon under the theme: 'The Church earnestly prayed to God' (Acts 12:5). The initiative, organized by the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization at the request of Pope Francis, will especially involve shrines worldwide to promote the prayer of the Rosary among the faithful, families, and communities.

On the first day, May 1st, the prayer marathon will be started by Pope Francis, and he will also conclude it on May 31st. The prayer of the Rosary will be broadcast live on the official channels of the Holy See every day at 6 PM, and the Rosary will be prayed in Medjugorje on Saturday, May 15th, so on that day the regular prayer program from the outdoor altar of St. James Church will be moved by one hour. The Rosary prayer will be at 6 PM, followed by the Eucharistic celebration at 7 PM.

Last year, the Holy Father already wrote a letter to the faithful, inviting them to “rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary” in their own homes during May.

“Persistent and united in prayer, together with Mary” (cf. Acts 1:14), was the theme of the Rosary prayer that Pope Francis led last year on May 30th, on the eve of Pentecost, from the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens. At that time, he was connected via video link with numerous Marian shrines and places of prayer from all continents, and Medjugorje also joined that prayer via video link from St. James Church.

The faithful are called to participate in the daily prayer of the Rosary for the end of the pandemic, during May, the month traditionally dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Along with Medjugorje, where the Rosary is prayed on May 15, see the list of other places involved in this initiative of Pope Francis, organized by the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.

"Dear brothers and sisters, the time of the pandemic has deeply affected our lives. This trial is an opportunity to witness our faith, as well as a chance to nurture hope and perform acts of love through corporal and spiritual works of mercy. In this experience, we feel like the first Christian community, which the Acts of the Apostles describes with the beautiful expression: 'And the Church was earnestly praying to God for him.' (Acts 12:5) So too, in this month of May, in communion with the Holy Father, we wish to earnestly pray to God to hear our petitions for the end of the pandemic.

In a special way today, from this parish of Saint James, in the absence of the apostolic visitor Henryk Hoser due to health reasons, we wish to pray with the apostolic nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monsignor Luigi Pezzuto, for migrants, for all those who have left their own country, home, and families in search of safety.

This light, lit on the lamp burning before the statue of Our Lady here in our church, may illuminate and transform this moment of darkness into the dawn of new light,” said the provincial of the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province, Fr. Miljenko Šteko, at the beginning of the rosary prayer from Medjugorje this evening (May 15, 2021), and he invited all who followed the prayer through the media to pray the rosary with their families.

The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization organized a “rosary prayer marathon” throughout May from 30 shrines and places of prayer around the world, including Medjugorje, for the end of the pandemic.

The initiative under the motto "The Church was earnestly praying to God" (Acts 12:5) includes daily prayer in sanctuaries around the world, which have thus become promoters of the Rosary prayer among the faithful, families, and communities. The Pope began the prayer marathon on Saturday, May 1, in the Vatican Basilica and will conclude it on Monday, May 31, in the Vatican Gardens.

The Rosary in Medjugorje was led by Friar Miljenko Šteko and Archbishop Luigi Pezzuto, with novices from the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province assisting. The Rosary was prayed by the parishioners of the Medjugorje parish, and the Great Mixed Choir Queen of Peace Medjugorje enhanced everything with song. The Rosary prayer was broadcast live on the official channels of the Holy See.

In Medjugorje, the Glorious Mysteries of the Blessed Virgin’s Rosary were prayed, and before each mystery, a passage from Sacred Scripture and an excerpt from Pope Francis’s letter on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees dated September 27, 2020, were read.

Pray for the brothers and sisters whom war, poverty, and hardship have forced to leave their homes and countries and who have become refugees seeking safer places: that within the Church they may find a refuge worthy of every person; for all people, especially Christians, that amid the noise and abundance of information they do not forget to hear the cry of all those who suffer, the displaced, all those in need; for doctors, nurses, and technicians. That they may not grow weary in bearing witness by their example to the Gospel meaning of serving the sick and the most needy; for the Pope, bishops, priests, religious men and women: that in the difficult moments of humanity they may always be witnesses of God's boundless love and mercy, and bearers of hope to all people, and that by the touch of God's grace we may be ready for mutual love, responsibility, and cooperation in preventing the coronavirus pandemic.

Before the final blessing, the Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monsignor Luigi Pezzuto, fra Miljenko Šteko said that "in the current dramatic situation, full of suffering and anxiety that has enveloped the whole world, we turn to You, Mother of God and our Mother, Queen of Peace."

''O Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes upon us in this coronavirus pandemic and comfort those who are lost and weep for their dear departed. Support those who are anxious for their sick loved ones and cannot be near them. Instill trust in those who are worried about the uncertain future and the consequences for the economy and work.

Mother of God and our Mother, fervently pray to God, the Father of mercy, that this severe trial may end and that the horizon of hope and peace may return. As at Cana, intercede with your Son Jesus, asking Him to comfort the families of the sick and victims, and to open their hearts to trust.

Protect doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, and volunteers who are on the front lines of this extraordinary situation and risk their lives to save others. Accompany their efforts and grant them strength, kindness, and health.

Be among those who help the sick day and night: priests and consecrated persons, who with pastoral care and evangelical dedication strive to help and support everyone. Virgin Mary, enlighten the minds of men and women scientists, so that they may find the right solutions to overcome illness," concluded friar Miljenko Šteko, after which nuncio Pezzuto gave his blessing and began the Mass in concelebration with 19 other priests.

"Last Thursday we celebrated the feast of the Ascension. This Sunday’s Gospel deepens the message of the Ascension, that is, the message of salvation. The first deepening of the Ascension’s message is this: Jesus returns to the Father, but it is only an impression that Jesus is leaving. Jesus is leaving, but to be even more present among us. He himself said, if I do not go to the Father, I cannot send you the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is the profound presence of Jesus among us. So, Jesus leaves, but remains with us. And on the day of the Ascension, Peter and the other apostles understood this very well.

When Jesus ascends into Heaven, the Acts of the Apostles say that the apostles returned to Jerusalem full of joy. We have all experienced that when a person leaves, we are sad. However, Jesus ascends into Heaven, and the apostles are joyful. This is because the apostles understood that Jesus is leaving and in this way deepens His presence among us even more. The fear that sometimes overwhelms us cannot be explained, the fear when we have the impression that Jesus is far from us. It is precisely with a deep sense of faith that one lives the experience of complete surrender to God. For example, who among us during this pandemic has not said: 'Lord, where are you? Do you not see what is happening?' I publicly confess that I have sometimes said this, but I am sure that you have also said it at times. Is that true?'' asked Monsignor Pezzuto, emphasizing that he is sure there was resistance to God during this time of the pandemic.

''Tonight in this Eucharist we need to say: Not only for the fear in this pandemic, but for any fear: 'Let fear leave my life, for the Lord is near us.' The Lord knows, the Lord sees, and we are not alone, we are not left to ourselves,'' said Nuncio Pezzuto, to whom the parish priest, Fr. Marinko Šakota, expressed thanks for coming to Medjugorje, emphasizing that ''we are all happy and grateful tonight because Medjugorje has been chosen among thirty shrines in the world where prayers are offered for the end of the pandemic.''

''I am very satisfied with how the Franciscan fathers and you as a community organized this meeting to participate in the prayer marathon organized by Pope Francis. It is clear that the prayer of the rosary for this parish community is a pillar so strong that it can no longer be done without it. As far as I know Pope Francis, if he were in my place, he would surely tell you the same things,'' said Mons. Pezzuto, inviting everyone not to forget to pray for the apostolic visitor Archbishop Henryk Hoser to recover and continue working among us.

Tonight, Friday, August 13, 2021, the Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Medjugorje, Mons. Henryk Hoser, passed away. Archbishop Hoser had recently been hospitalized in the intensive cardiology unit of a hospital in Warsaw (Poland), where he also died.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him!

The funeral arrangements for Monsignor Hoser will be announced later.

Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Henryk Hoser, the retired Bishop of Warsaw-Praga in Poland, as Apostolic Visitor for the parish of Medjugorje on May 31, 2018, for an indefinite period and ad nutum Sanctae Sedis. This service followed the mission of the Special Envoy of the Holy See to the parish of Medjugorje, which had been entrusted to Archbishop Hoser since February 11, 2017.

Mons. Henryk Hoser was born in Warsaw (Poland) on November 27, 1942. He is a member of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines). In his youth, he studied medicine and worked for a time as a doctor and assistant at the Medical Academy. In 1969, he joined the Pallottines, and on June 16, 1974, he was ordained a priest. He then studied French in Paris and attended a course in tropical medicine, before setting out as a missionary to Rwanda in 1975. Alongside fruitful missionary work, Mons. Hoser served as Apostolic Visitor in Rwanda, participated in a special Synod on Africa, and served as provincial of the newly established Pallottine province in Rwanda and Zaire, as well as president of the local Conference of Major Superiors. Upon returning to Europe, from 1996 he was provincial of the French Pallottine province, and from 2004 rector of his community’s office in Brussels. On January 22, 2005, he was appointed titular bishop of Tepelta and became an associate secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and president of the Pontifical Mission Societies. His episcopal ordination took place in Rome on March 19, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Archbishop of Warsaw-Praga in Poland on May 24, 2008. At the Polish Episcopal Conference, he held various offices and was a member of the 2015 Synod of Bishops on the Family. His Holiness Pope Francis appointed him Special Envoy of the Holy See for Medjugorje on February 11, 2017, and on May 31, 2018, Apostolic Visitor for the parish of Medjugorje, for an indefinite period and ad nutum Sanctae Sedis.

The Holy See Press Office announced today at noon, November 27, 2021, that Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Mons. Aldo Cavalli, titular Archbishop of Vibo Valentia (Vibo Valentia – lat. Dioecesis Vibonensis), former Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands, as Apostolic Visitor with a special mandate for the parish of Medjugorje, for an indefinite period and ad nutum Sanctae Sedis.

This is a continuation of the mission carried out in Medjugorje by Archbishop Henryk Hoser, S.A.C., who passed away on August 13, 2021, in Warsaw.

Mons. Aldo Cavalli was born on October 18, 1946, in Lecco, Italy. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Bergamo on March 18, 1971. After his priestly ordination, he taught literature at the Seminary and during that time completed studies in political science at the Catholic University. Since 1975, he has been at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, culminating his stay with postgraduate studies in theology and canon law. He served in several nunciatures as secretary and in the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. He received episcopal consecration on August 26, 1996, in the cathedral of Bergamo. He has been Apostolic Nuncio to Chile, Colombia, Malta, and Libya, and since March 21, 2015, he has been Nuncio to the Netherlands and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The Provincial of the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province, Dr. Fr. Miljenko Šteko, on the occasion of this appointment said: “I express my deepest gratitude to the Holy Father Pope Francis for appointing the new Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Međugorje, in the person of Archbishop Cavalli. We read this appointment as a sign of the careful attention of the Supreme Priest for this pilgrimage site. We welcome the new Apostolic Visitor with a deep sense of gratitude and respect, as we did his predecessor, the late Monsignor Hoser, whose birthday, quite symbolically, is today. May the new Apostolic Visitor in his new ministry, by which he represents the Holy Father and the Holy See in Međugorje and in the local Church, be accompanied by the heavenly help of the Most Holy Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary!”

“I am joyful because of this news. I was wonderfully surprised by the news that Pope Francis appointed Monsignor Aldo Cavalli as the new Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Međugorje. We are grateful to God for Monsignor Henryk Hoser who was with us and who did so much for Međugorje; we believe that Monsignor Cavalli will continue on his path. We are happy about this news. Thank you to Pope Francis for sending us Archbishop Cavalli as Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Međugorje,” said the parish priest of Međugorje, Fr. Marinko Šakota, after the announcement of this news.

On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11, 2022), a new Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Međugorje arrived in Međugorje for an indefinite period and ad nutum Sanctae Sedis, Archbishop Mons. Aldo Cavalli, titular Archbishop of Vibo Valentia, and former Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands.

Archbishop Cavalli will celebrate his first Holy Mass with the parishioners and pilgrims in Međugorje tomorrow (February 13, 2022) at 11 a.m. in the Church of St. James in Međugorje.

The Holy See Press Office announced on November 27, 2021, that Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Mons. Aldo Cavalli, titular Archbishop of Vibo Valentia (Vibo Valentia – lat. Dioecesis Vibonensis), former Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands, as Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Međugorje, for an indefinite period and ad nutum Sanctae Sedis.

This is a continuation of the mission previously carried out in Međugorje by Archbishop Henryk Hoser, S.A.C., who passed away on August 13, 2021, in Warsaw.

Mons. Aldo Cavalli was born on October 18, 1946, in Lecco, Italy. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Bergamo on March 18, 1971. After his priestly ordination, he taught literature at the Seminary and during that time completed studies in political science at the Catholic University. Since 1975, he has been at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, culminating his stay with postgraduate studies in theology and canon law. He served in several nunciatures as secretary and in the Holy See's Secretariat of State. He received episcopal consecration on August 26, 1996, in the cathedral of Bergamo. He was Apostolic Nuncio to Chile, Colombia, Malta, and Libya, and since March 21, 2015, he has been Nuncio to the Netherlands and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

"It is a great joy to welcome you, Most Reverend Archbishop Aldo, as the new Apostolic Visitor for the parish of Medjugorje. Welcome! We receive you with open hearts in the parish, where a special closeness to Our Lady is felt. We look forward to working with you. Thank you for accepting Pope Francis’ invitation to be the Apostolic Visitor for the parish of Medjugorje after your service as Nuncio in the Netherlands. Thank you," expressed the parish priest of Medjugorje, Friar Marinko Šakota, at the beginning of the Holy Mass, in words of welcome to the new Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Medjugorje, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli.

The solemn Eucharistic celebration today (February 13, 2022) in the church of St. James in Medjugorje was presided over by Archbishop Cavalli, concelebrated by Fr. Marinko Šakota, the provincial of the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province Fr. Miljenko Šteka, and numerous other priests.

At the beginning of his homily at his first Mass with the parishioners and pilgrims in Medjugorje, Archbishop Cavalli expressed his thanks.

"Thank you all. Thank you for coming. Thanks to the choir for preparing this celebration. Thanks to the provincial father, the parish priest… to all those who prepared this, thank you very much, but above all, thanks to the Lord and the Virgin Mary who, through the Holy Father, wanted to send me here. When I saw the Holy Father a few weeks ago, he said to me: 'You are going to Medjugorje, be there, and that’s it!' I am sure that the Lord Jesus will accompany me in these last years of mine, just as He has throughout my whole life," said Monsignor Cavalli, who then reflected on the Mass readings, the Word of God.

''In the first reading, we see a prophet speaking. Prophets have always been, but always, people like us. They bought, sold, married, had children… but they were always God's people. In their lives, they had two fundamental points. They loved God and served Him! They loved the people and served them! Those two things. Prophets spoke with God, and God spoke to them. He spoke to them, not in the way I speak, but He inspired them from within.

They lived with their people in their time. Prophets lived among their people within their way of life, culture, and time; all of that changed, but they lived within their people. They were prophets because they spoke to the people about their God and to God about His people,'' said Archbishop Cavalli, explaining to us that if we want to be like prophets, we need to live like prophets: ''we need to have the same way of life, that is, the same attitude – to live among the people.''

Reflecting on the second reading in which Saint Paul speaks to us about eternal life, Archbishop Cavalli also touched on his predecessor in the office of apostolic visitor with a special role for the parish of Međugorje.

''For example, where is my predecessor Mons. Hoser now? We say he is alive, but how is he alive? Where does he live? His body is in the grave and is disappearing. In two or three generations we will forget him, as we do all the dead, but on him and on us we have two answers given to us by the Lord Jesus.

The first thing when someone dies, and Mons. Hoser has died, Jesus says that before God he becomes like the angels of heaven, and we know little about angels, but we know one thing. They constantly stand before God who is Love and constantly live love. My predecessor who has died lives in God who is Love, but the second reading also speaks to us about the body.

Jesus has a clear answer: Just as I have risen, so you will rise. The Corinthians asked St. Paul: How will we rise? St. Paul, who had in mind how Jesus rose with his body, answers: The material body goes to the grave and the spiritual body is resurrected. Therefore, my predecessor lives in God like the angels and his body will rise on the last day. Mary has already been assumed body and soul into Heaven, together with Jesus. She was the first to achieve this, and we will achieve it afterwards,'' explained Mons. Cavalli, who in his homily also spoke about the Beatitudes mentioned in today's Gospel.

''In the Gospel, we hear about the Beatitudes. Who is the human person who fulfills all that the Lord told us in the Gospel? The human person who fulfills all of this is the Lord Jesus! Do you know why? Because He fulfilled the mission He had in everything. Mary did the same. She fully accomplished the mission entrusted to her. She remained at home serving Jesus and Saint Joseph throughout her entire life. And that is all. Faithful to the mission she had. One hundred percent faithful. So if we want to fulfill the Beatitudes in our lives, we need to fulfill our mission one hundred percent,'' said Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, apostolic visitor with a special role for the parish of Medjugorje, and then at the end of his homily repeated once more: ''If we want to be prophets, we must love God and serve Him, and love the people and serve them. The great certainty we have is that we will rise and live after death before God who is love, and at the end of time our bodies will also rise in a spiritual body. If I want to live like Jesus and Mary, I need to fully accomplish my mission.''

The Secretary for Relations with States at the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, after visiting the diocesan seats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also visited Medjugorje this morning (March 20, 2022).

He arrived accompanied by Mons. Petar Palić, Bishop of Mostar-Duvno and Apostolic Administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan, Vicar of the Herzegovinian dioceses Don Nikola Menalo, Mons. Janusz Stanisław Błachowiak from the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, Mons. Amaury Medina Blanco, Chargé d’Affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature in Sarajevo.

In Međugorje, they were welcomed by the Apostolic Visitor with a special mandate for the parish of Međugorje, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, the Provincial of the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province, Fr. Miljenko Šteko, and the parish priest of Međugorje, Fr. Marinko Šakota.

The Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, Archbishop Gallagher, engaged in a cordial conversation with Provincial Fr. Miljenko Šteko, after which they visited the Church of St. James in Međugorje and other places of prayer near the parish church.

Archbishop Gallagher stayed in Bosnia and Herzegovina for four days, celebrated Masses in the cathedrals of Sarajevo, Banja Luka, and Mostar, met with state authorities and church dignitaries, and his visit to BiH concluded in Medjugorje.