The pilgrimage Saturday was free of incidents. Levy Correia, the local superintendent, said that police had implemented preventive measures following the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
The number of pilgrims was higher this year than in previous years, as the anniversary coincided with a weekend, and the pilgrims did not seem overly preoccupied by a possible reprisal, in the wake of the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan.
The Fatima apparitions took place in 1917. Millions of visitors come every year to commemorate those events. John Paul II visited Fatima last year on May 13 to beatify two of the children, who died shortly after the apparitions.
Not long after the Pope´s visit to Fatima, and at the Pope´s request, the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith revealed the content of the revelations received by Sister Lucia, the last surviving visionary.
