An altar was set on fire and statues of the Virgin Mary were desecrated at the Medjugorje shrine in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to AGI. The incident took place on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
A 31-year-old Polish man was arrested in connection with the attack, ANSA reports. Vatican News described the event as a serious act of vandalism at the Marian sanctuary.
The shrine in Medjugorje is a major Catholic pilgrimage site, drawing millions of visitors each year. The site has been at the centre of ongoing debate within the Church, as the Vatican has not officially confirmed the authenticity of reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary that began there in 1981.
Authorities have not released further details about the suspect’s motive or the extent of the damage. The investigation remains ongoing.
