More than 40 million pilgrims from around the world have flocked to the small village named Medjugorje since 1981.

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.

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis has given his approval to a Catholic spiritual practice focused on Medjugorje, a hamlet in Bosnia that has generated controversy about reports of the Virgin Mary appearing to locals,

Since the alleged visions, Medjugorje has evolved into a significant pilgrimage destination, attracting over a million visitors each year to the town, which has a population of just over 2,000.

Pope Francis has expressed some doubts on the messages, commenting in 2013 on the Virgin Mary’s particularly chatty nature at Medjugorje.

In June 1981, six children aged 10 to 16 claimed that the Virgin Mary appeared to them on a hilltop near the town.