Lourdes, one of the most visited Marian shrines by popes

Saint John Paul II was the first Pope to visit Lourdes Shrine in France, in 1983. He came back for a second visit in 2004. After him Pope Benedict XVI came in 2008.

But as early as the 1890s, six future popes made a pilgrimage to Lourdes as cardinals, before their election. Among them were the future Benedict XV (1914-1922) and Pius XI (1922-1939).

It was the latter who beatified Bernadette Soubirous, the seer of Our Lady, on June 14, 1925, and canonized her on December 8, 1933.

The future Pius XII (1939-1958) came to Lourdes in 1935. As for Cardinal Roncalli, he went there to consecrate the Basilica of St Pius X, built on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the apparitions, shortly before becoming Pope John XXIII (1958-1963).

Cardinal Montini, the future Paul VI (1963-1978), came twice to Lourdes, in 1958 and 1962, while the future John Paul I (August-September 1978) came on pilgrimage in 1975.

Pope Saint Paul VI often spoke of Lourdes and its evangelical significance: "You have managed to preserve the original meaning and evangelical significance of this Marian shrine. Centered around the example of Mary Immaculate and with her intercession, this pilgrimage allows a renewal of faith in prayer, reconciliation with God, and fraternal sharing," he said in 1967.

Adapted from: Aleteia