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Pilgrimage

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Thousands of pilgrims make overnight journey to Luján ahead of Pope Leo’s visit

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Travel News

New Saudi visa lets Umrah pilgrims visit multiple times within a year

Saudi Arabia has launched a new one-year multiple-entry visa, which will allow Umrah pilgrims to make repeated visits.

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Iraq: Ashoura in Karbala draws thousands of Shiite pilgrims for rituals

Thousands of Shiite pilgrims mark Ashoura in Karbala, mourning Imam Hussein’s 680 AD death with processions, prayers and reinforced security.

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Saudi Arabia: More than 1.5 million pilgrims perform stoning ritual in Mina

More than 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims gathered in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on 27 May to perform the symbolic stoning ritual that marks a key stage of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

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250,000 pilgrims gather at Fatima shrine in Portugal for annual candlelight Mass

Hundreds of thousands of Catholic pilgrims gathered at Portugal’s Fatima shrine for the annual Mass of the Blessing of the Candles honouring the Virgin Mary.

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Pakistan hosts thousands of Sikh pilgrims for 2026 baisakhi rites

Pakistan welcomed around 2,300 Sikh pilgrims from India for Baisakhi celebrations at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, about 45 kilometres from Islamabad.

Culture news

Saint Francis of Assisi's remains on show in historic exhibition

To mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, Christian faithful will for the first time be able to pray before his remains in the lower church of the Basilica dedicated to the saint.

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Cuban pilgrims flock to Havana's El Rincon shrine for blessings

Cuba saw thousands of devotees walk toward the shrine of El Rincon, on the outskirts of Havana, during the annual pilgrimage honouring Saint Lazarus.

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Thousands gather at Fatima Shrine for final pilgrimage of the year

Thousands of pilgrims gathered at Portugal’s Fatima Shrine over the weekend to take part in the candlelight and farewell processions marking the traditional October pilgrimage.

Moments

Pilgrims turn Santiago de Compostela into overtourism flashpoint

The visitor boom has been turbocharged by social media and experience-driven travel after the coronavirus pandemic.

Travel News

Rome Jubilee year: A polished city, but where are the pilgrims?

As Rome marks its Jubilee year, the anticipated wave of pilgrims and short-term rental profits has yet to arrive, leaving landlords disappointed and locals grappling with a still-tight housing market.

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Pilgrims flock to Andalusia for Rocío Virgin celebration

Thousands of pilgrims gathered in southern Spain on Monday to honour the Virgin of El Rocío, a revered Catholic icon of the Virgin Mary.

Romania

Pilgrims flock to Romania for Europe's largest Pentecost event

Following the centuries-old tradition, some of the faithful stopped first at the Franciscan cathedral to pray before walking up to the Șumuleu Hill to the open-air altar where the mass was held.

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Hundreds gather in El Rocío to honour La Blanca Paloma

In El Rocío, more than a thousand pilgrims embark on a journey of faith and celebration, honouring La Blanca Paloma with flamenco dresses, prayers, and festive gatherings.

Saudi Arabia

More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia for Hajj

The Day of Arafat is of great significance to Muslims around the world, regarded as the most sacred day of the year according to traditional sayings of prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Moments

Everything you need to know about packing for a Hajj pilgrimage

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims, can often fall during one of the hottest periods of the year.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia tackles sweltering heat as Hajj pilgrimage starts

Each year, Muslim pilgrims embark on the spiritual journey of Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.