The Vatican has officially dismissed the long-standing rumors of supernatural sightings of Jesus in Dozulé, France, which were reported in the 1970s. These claims, which included the story of a Catholic mother, Madeleine Aumont, who allegedly saw Jesus 49 times, have been officially declared false by the Church. The decision, made by Pope Leo XIV, concludes that the “Glorious Cross of Dozulé” was not a divine message but a human project. The Church’s stance reinforces its emphasis on the spiritual truth of the Gospel over sensational or speculative claims.
Dozulé, located in the Normandy region of northern France, had a population of 2,279 people in 2022, according to Ville-Data. The town became a focal point in the 1970s when Aumont reportedly shared her visions with the local community, leading to the planning of the enormous cross. The cross, intended to be over 2,000 feet tall, was to be illuminated, and its construction was seen by some as a divine call. However, the Vatican’s doctrinal office, after decades of review, has determined that these apparitions did not have a supernatural origin.
Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, a Dominican friar based in Rome, highlighted how the Dozulé messages inspired curiosity but were not embraced by the wider Church. “The Church plainly teaches that the cross of Christ is the summit of revelation,” he explained. Briscoe emphasized that Pope Leo XIV’s approval of this declaration reflects a commitment to discernment in spiritual matters. “Pope Leo intends to speak directly to our scientific age,” he added. “His recent comments on compulsive gambling and internet addiction show he is addressing pressing modern issues.”
According to the Vatican, the decision is a reminder that faith should not rest on private revelations or emotional claims but on the truth of the Gospel. The Church’s focus remains on the sacraments and the core teachings of Christianity. Briscoe noted that doctrinal clarity helps safeguard Christian teachings from superstition and ensures that devotion is grounded in truth rather than speculation. “The Vatican’s discernment here safeguards authentic devotion,” he said. “This is about protecting believers from confusion, while keeping the focus on Christ.”
The ruling also highlights the Church’s broader role in maintaining spiritual clarity for its followers. By rejecting the supernatural claims, the Vatican reaffirms its authority in interpreting doctrine and protects its teachings from being influenced by popular but unfounded beliefs. The “Glorious Cross of Dozulé” remains a local landmark, but its significance, as declared by the Church, is no longer tied to the supposed divine messages but to its role as a symbol of faith and community. Despite the Vatican’s official stance, the story of Dozulé continues to inspire local pride and interest, blending history, faith, and cultural memory in the town.