The Vatican has officially dismissed claims of supernatural apparitions of Jesus Christ in the French town of Dozulé, a region located in the Normandy area of northern France. The reports, dating back to the 1970s, were initially made by Madeleine Aumont, a Catholic mother who claimed to have seen the divine figure 49 times and was instructed to build an enormous cross in the town.
The proposed cross would have stood at an incredible height of over 2,000 feet and required extensive construction materials, including 738 meters of steel and concrete. However, the Vatican has now definitively stated that these apparitions are not of supernatural origin. The decision was approved by Pope Leo XIV, who has recently overseen the canonization of two new saints, including the first ever to be canonized in the 21st century.
In a statement from the doctrinal office, the Vatican emphasized that the Cross does not need such grandeur to be recognized, pointing out that it is raised every time a heart, moved by grace, opens itself to forgiveness. The declaration also underscores the Church’s commitment to spiritual discernment, ensuring that faith remains rooted in truth and the teachings of the Gospel rather than in speculation or emotional excess.
Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, a Dominican friar based in Rome, noted that the Dozulé messages inspired curiosity in some circles, but were not embraced by the wider Church. He explained that the Church’s decision serves to protect believers from confusion and to ensure that faith is not based on emotion or sensational claims. The Vatican’s stance reflects its broader efforts to address contemporary issues such as internet addiction and compulsive gambling, indicating a modern approach to spiritual leadership.
The Pope’s recent actions also highlight the importance of doctrinal clarity in safeguarding authentic Christian devotion. By rejecting the supernatural claims and reaffirming the central role of Christ in the faith, Pope Leo XIV aims to keep the focus of the Church on its foundational beliefs and teachings, ensuring they remain clear and unshaken by speculative interpretations.