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A continuing pilgrimage tradition
Paul VI visited the region in 1967, and John Paul II visited the shrine on 30 November 1979. Benedict XVI returned on 29 November 2006. In his Ephesus homily, Benedict explicitly recalled the pilgrimages of his two predecessors.
The message of the 2006 visit
The Vatican’s published homily connects the celebration with Mary, the Christian community and prayer for peace. Its importance lies not only in the presence of a pope, but also in the attention given to unity and to the people who keep the sanctuary’s devotional life alive.
History and spiritual meaning
These documented visits help explain the sanctuary’s international recognition. They are part of its modern pilgrimage history; they should be read alongside, rather than substituted for, the separate historical questions about Mary’s residence. The sources below offer the official context.
