![Youth Festival in Medjugorje 2021 crowd](https://thecatholictravelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Web-Aerial-view-courtesy-Da-1-150x150.jpg)
Every year in August, Medjugorje hosts a youth festival which draws over 50,000 young people from around the world. This year’s event was no exception, drawing probably a record number. It should be noted that the apparitions of the Blessed Mother reported here have not yet been officially approved by the Church, the Church has approved Medjugorje as a pilgrimage destination. Priests are encouraged to accompany pilgrims to provide spiritual guidance.
![Cardinal Sarah celebrate Mass in Medjugorje](https://thecatholictravelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Web-Cardinal-Sarah-150x150.jpg)
Evidence of this was made clear by the main celebrant of the Mass here: Cardinal Robert Sarah (pronounced sar-ahh). Noted as one of the potential candidates for the Chair of Saint Peter, it is certainly a sign that the shrine of Medjugorje has achieved some acceptance by the Church, even though the apparitions themselves have yet to be approved.