“It’s a significant increase compared to 2022, but it leaves us a little short of the numbers that were seen in 2019,” said the rector of the Shrine of Fatima.

Newsroom (29/10/2023 20:25, Gaudium Press) The Shrine of Fátima recorded a significant increase in the presence of groups of pilgrims during this year, 2023. According to the rector of the Portuguese Shrine, Father Carlos Cabecinhas, between May 1 and October 10 this year, around 4.4 million devotees visited the Cova da Iria.

Return of pilgrims to the Shrine of Fatima

“It’s a significant increase compared to 2022, but it leaves us a little short of the numbers seen in 2019,” said the Portuguese priest after recalling the recovery in the number of pilgrims recorded last year, after the years of the pandemic. Among the most significant nationalities are Spain, Italy, and Poland.

The rector of the Shrine of Fatima also celebrated the significant return of groups of pilgrims from Asia, especially South Korea; the attendance of groups of devotees from Ukraine; and the especially significant presence of groups from the United States of America.

More than 1 million pilgrims during WYD

During the two-and-a-half week period from July 24 to August 10 alone, in which the Shrine of Fatima prepared to welcome the young people taking part in World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, more than 1.1 million pilgrims attended the celebrations held there.

The day on which the Portuguese shrine recorded the highest number of pilgrims was when Pope Francis came to pray in the Chapel of Apparitions. The second day with the most pilgrims was July 31, when the young people were on their way to Lisbon for the pre-Journey.

“The numbers are very encouraging and exceed our best expectations. We had a very significant presence here from all continents, from many parts of the world,” said the rector of the Marian Shrine. (EPC)

Compiled by Dominic Joseph