- Feb 5, 2002
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The beloved image journeyed for the Marian Jubilee, at the request of the late Pope Francis.
FATIMA, Portugal — Friday seemed like a normal October morning at the Sanctuary of Fátima: As the sun rose in the sky behind the great basilica, dozens of pilgrims arrived, alone or in groups, invariably heading to the Chapel of the Apparitions and prostrating themselves in prayer before the famous statue of Our Lady.
What most of them didn’t know was that they were about to witness a historic moment. The sculpture before them, which in more than a hundred years had rarely left the sanctuary’s grounds, would soon leave for a pilgrim’s journey.
It was then that some of the pilgrims noticed something unusual: A gray van was slowly moving through the center of the sanctuary, where usually only pedestrians circulate. A group of security guards kept the more curious pilgrims away, while the van headed toward the chapel, and countless news reporters pointed their cameras in the direction of the sculpture.
The rector of the sanctuary, Father Carlos Cabecinhas, then went to the ambo to explain what was happening: The statue would be removed because it would be leaving for the Vatican, “by the will of the Holy Father,” to participate in the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, Oct. 11 and 12. “Accompany this visit of the statue to Rome with your prayers, for the Holy Father and for the good fruits of this visit,” he requested.
Continued below.
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FATIMA, Portugal — Friday seemed like a normal October morning at the Sanctuary of Fátima: As the sun rose in the sky behind the great basilica, dozens of pilgrims arrived, alone or in groups, invariably heading to the Chapel of the Apparitions and prostrating themselves in prayer before the famous statue of Our Lady.
What most of them didn’t know was that they were about to witness a historic moment. The sculpture before them, which in more than a hundred years had rarely left the sanctuary’s grounds, would soon leave for a pilgrim’s journey.
It was then that some of the pilgrims noticed something unusual: A gray van was slowly moving through the center of the sanctuary, where usually only pedestrians circulate. A group of security guards kept the more curious pilgrims away, while the van headed toward the chapel, and countless news reporters pointed their cameras in the direction of the sculpture.
The rector of the sanctuary, Father Carlos Cabecinhas, then went to the ambo to explain what was happening: The statue would be removed because it would be leaving for the Vatican, “by the will of the Holy Father,” to participate in the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, Oct. 11 and 12. “Accompany this visit of the statue to Rome with your prayers, for the Holy Father and for the good fruits of this visit,” he requested.
Continued below.

Why the Our Lady of Fátima Statue Is at the Vatican This Weekend
The beloved image journeyed for the Marian Jubilee, at the request of the late Pope Francis.