Bishop Murilo Krieger, former Bishop of Florianopolise (Brazil), after visiting Medjugorje several times, the first time being in 1986, wrote the following:
“In 1988, I was with eight other bishops and thirty-three priests on spiritual retreat in the Vatican. The Holy Father knew that many of us were going to Medjugorje afterwards. After a private Mass with the Pope, before leaving Rome, he said, without having been asked anything, ‘Pray for me in Medjugorje.’ On another occasion, I told the Pope, ‘I am going to Medjugorje for the fourth time.’ He concentrated his thoughts and said, ‘Medjugorje, Medjugorje, it’s the spiritual heart of the world.’ On the same day I spoke with other Brazilian bishops and the Pope at lunch time and I asked him: ‘Your holiness, can I tell the visionaries that you send your blessing?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Yes.’ and embraced me.â€
