From May 13 to October 13, 1917, at the Cova da Iria near Fatima, Portugal, three shepherd children — Lucia Santos (age 10), Francisco Marto (age 9), and Jacinta Marto (age 7) — reported six apparitions of the Virgin Mary over six consecutive months. Our Lady asked them to return on the 13th of each month to pray, and revealed to them three secrets.
The Three Secrets of Fatima were revealed in sequence: the First Secret was a vision of hell; the Second Secret contained predictions of World War II, a request for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and a warning about the spread of communism; the Third Secret concerned the persecution of the Church and a vision of a pope being shot, and was not officially released by the Vatican until 2000.
The 'Miracle of the Sun' on October 13, 1917, is the most remarkable event associated with Fatima — approximately 70,000 people witnessed the sun appearing to move erratically across the sky. In 1930, the Catholic Church officially recognized the 'supernatural character' of the Fatima apparitions. Francisco and Jacinta were canonized as saints in 2017, and Lucia's cause for canonization was opened after her death in 2005.
Core Message
"You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace."
May 13, 1917 — First apparition at Cova da Iria; Our Lady asks the children to return monthlyJuly 13, 1917 — Our Lady reveals the Three Secrets, including the vision of hell and WWII predictionOctober 13, 1917 — The Miracle of the Sun witnessed by ~70,000 people1930 — Catholic Church officially recognizes the supernatural character of the apparitions1941 — Lucia writes detailed accounts of the First and Second Secrets1981 — Pope John Paul II is shot; he attributes his survival to Our Lady of Fatima2000 — Vatican officially releases the Third Secret
Prophecy content primarily from Sister Lucia's memoirs and official Vatican documents (Vatican: Message of Fatima )
Historical background drawn from multiple academic works and news reports (Wikipedia )
Verification based on public historical records and Church documents
Editorial opinions do not represent academic consensus
Site icon: six-pointed star symbol — a traditional Marian emblem derived from the Catholic title 'Stella Maris' (Star of the Sea)
Fatima Prophecies All Prophecies 16 Q&A entries in total
First Apparition of Our Lady
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady appeared on a small holm oak tree at the Cova da Iria, dressed in white and radiating light. She asked the three shepherd children: 'Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for sins and for the conversion of sinners?' The children answered 'Yes.' Our Lady asked them to return on the 13th of each month.
Second Apparition of Our Lady
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady appeared again and told the children that Jesus wished to establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the world. She foretold that Francisco and Jacinta would be taken to heaven soon, but Lucia would remain on earth longer. She showed them a vision of the Immaculate Heart surrounded by thorns.
First Secret: Vision of Hell
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady showed the three children a vision of hell: 'You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go.' The children saw a sea of fire containing demons and souls in human form, like transparent burning embers, tumbling in the flames and screaming in agony. Lucia later wrote that had Our Lady not previously promised to take them to heaven, they would have died of fright.
Second Secret: Prediction of WWI Ending and WWII
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady said: 'The war (World War I) is going to end. But if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illuminated by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that He is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.'
Second Secret: Consecration of Russia and Spread of Communism
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady said: 'To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated.'
Fourth Apparition of Our Lady
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady appeared again and reiterated the importance of prayer and sacrifice. She asked the children to pray for sinners and taught them a new prayer to add after each decade of the Rosary: 'O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.'
Fifth Apparition and Announcement of the Miracle
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady told the children: 'In October, I will tell you who I am and what I want. I will perform a great miracle so that all may see and believe.' She asked people to continue praying the Rosary for the end of the war.
The Miracle of the Sun
Our Lady of Fatima: On October 13, 1917, approximately 70,000 people gathered at the Cova da Iria. For about ten minutes, witnesses reported seeing the sun spin, change colors, and 'plunge' toward the earth. It had been raining all day, but after the miracle, people's clothes and the ground were dry. Multiple newspapers, including the anti-clerical O Seculo, reported the event. Our Lady said in her final apparition: 'I am the Lady of the Rosary.'
The Unknown Light — Sign of Coming War
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady foretold that before the outbreak of a greater war, an 'unknown light' would illuminate the night sky as a sign.
Third Secret: Vision of the Bishop Dressed in White
Our Lady of Fatima: The Third Secret was written by Lucia in 1944, sealed and entrusted to the Church, and not published by the Vatican until 2000. It describes a vision: 'We saw a Bishop dressed in White (we had the impression that it was the Holy Father)... he passed through a big city half in ruins, and half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow, praying for the corpses along the way. Having reached the top of the mountain, on his knees at the foot of the big Cross, he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him.'
Pope John Paul II's Assassination Attempt and the Fatima Connection
Our Lady of Fatima: On May 13, 1981 — the 64th anniversary of the first Fatima apparition — Pope John Paul II was shot in St. Peter's Square. After his recovery, the Pope sent the bullet that struck him to the Fatima Sanctuary, where it was set in the crown of the statue of Our Lady. He said: 'One hand pulled the trigger, another hand guided the bullet.'
The Prophecy of Russia's Consecration
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady requested the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, promising that if done, Russia would be converted and there would be peace. If not, Russia would 'spread her errors throughout the world.'
Prophecy of Francisco and Jacinta's Deaths
Our Lady of Fatima: During the second apparition in June 1917, Our Lady told Lucia: 'I will take Francisco and Jacinta soon. But you are to stay here some time longer. Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved.'
Prediction of a Greater War during Pius XI's Pontificate
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady specifically stated that the next great war would break out 'during the pontificate of Pius XI.'
The Rosary and the Promise of Peace
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady repeatedly asked people to pray the Rosary daily during multiple apparitions, promising that if her requests were heeded, war would end and the world would have peace. In her final apparition, she identified herself as 'the Lady of the Rosary.'
Three Apparitions of the Angel of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima: Before the Marian apparitions, in 1916, the three children reported three visits from an angel. The angel identified himself as the 'Angel of Peace' and the 'Guardian Angel of Portugal,' taught them prayers, and administered Holy Communion. The angel said: 'Do not be afraid. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me.' These angelic apparitions are considered precursors and preparation for the Marian apparitions.
Prophecy Verification Evaluating predictions against reality for expired time points
Fifth Apparition and Announcement of the Miracle
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady told the children: 'In October, I will tell you who I am and what I want. I will perform a great miracle so that all may see and believe.' She asked people to continue praying the Rosary for the end of the war.
On October 13, 1917, approximately 70,000 people gathered at Fatima and witnessed the 'Miracle of the Sun' (see entry #8). The great miracle foretold by Our Lady did occur in October, with a massive number of witnesses.
The Miracle of the Sun
Our Lady of Fatima: On October 13, 1917, approximately 70,000 people gathered at the Cova da Iria. For about ten minutes, witnesses reported seeing the sun spin, change colors, and 'plunge' toward the earth. It had been raining all day, but after the miracle, people's clothes and the ground were dry. Multiple newspapers, including the anti-clerical O Seculo, reported the event. Our Lady said in her final apparition: 'I am the Lady of the Rosary.'
The Miracle of the Sun is the most well-documented aspect of the Fatima events. O Seculo reporter Avelino de Almeida was present and described the sun's unusual movements. Multiple scientists and journalists at the scene left independent testimonies. In 1930, the Catholic Church officially recognized the supernatural character of the Fatima apparitions after investigation.
Second Apparition of Our Lady
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady appeared again and told the children that Jesus wished to establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the world. She foretold that Francisco and Jacinta would be taken to heaven soon, but Lucia would remain on earth longer. She showed them a vision of the Immaculate Heart surrounded by thorns.
Francisco died on April 4, 1919 from the Spanish flu, and Jacinta died on February 20, 1920 from flu complications. Lucia lived to age 97, dying on February 13, 2005. Our Lady's predictions about the children's fates matched the actual events.
Prophecy of Francisco and Jacinta's Deaths
Our Lady of Fatima: During the second apparition in June 1917, Our Lady told Lucia: 'I will take Francisco and Jacinta soon. But you are to stay here some time longer. Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved.'
Francisco died on April 4, 1919 (age 10) and Jacinta died on February 20, 1920 (age 9), both from complications of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Lucia lived to age 97, dying in 2005, devoting her life to spreading the Fatima message. The prediction was fully accurate.
The Unknown Light — Sign of Coming War
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady foretold that before the outbreak of a greater war, an 'unknown light' would illuminate the night sky as a sign.
On the night of January 25-26, 1938, an exceptionally intense aurora borealis was observed across Europe, North Africa, and North America, turning the sky blood red. It was one of the most intense auroral displays on record. Sister Lucia explicitly identified this as the sign foretold by Our Lady. Less than two years later, WWII broke out in September 1939.
Second Secret: Prediction of WWI Ending and WWII
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady said: 'The war (World War I) is going to end. But if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illuminated by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that He is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.'
WWI ended in November 1918, matching the prediction. On January 25, 1938, an extraordinary aurora borealis was observed across much of Europe, widely regarded as the 'unknown light' of the prophecy. WWII broke out in September 1939, months after Pius XI's death (February 1939), at the end of his pontificate. The core elements — WWI ending, the unusual light, WWII outbreak — all correspond to historical events.
Prediction of a Greater War during Pius XI's Pontificate
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady specifically stated that the next great war would break out 'during the pontificate of Pius XI.'
Pius XI assumed the papacy in 1922 and died on February 10, 1939. Germany annexed Austria in March 1938 (Anschluss) and Czechoslovakia in March 1939. WWII officially began on September 1, 1939. While the full war started about six months after Pius XI's death, the war's prelude (German expansion) occurred during his pontificate. Sister Lucia pointed out that the 1938 annexation of Austria already constituted an act of war.
Third Secret: Vision of the Bishop Dressed in White
Our Lady of Fatima: The Third Secret was written by Lucia in 1944, sealed and entrusted to the Church, and not published by the Vatican until 2000. It describes a vision: 'We saw a Bishop dressed in White (we had the impression that it was the Holy Father)... he passed through a big city half in ruins, and half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow, praying for the corpses along the way. Having reached the top of the mountain, on his knees at the foot of the big Cross, he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him.'
The Vatican interpreted the Third Secret as referring to the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II on May 13, 1981 — the 64th anniversary of the first Fatima apparition. The Pope was shot by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca in St. Peter's Square. The Pope himself attributed his survival to the protection of Our Lady of Fatima. However, in the vision the pope is 'killed' while in reality he survived, creating a partial mismatch. Some theologians believe the Third Secret has deeper meanings.
Pope John Paul II's Assassination Attempt and the Fatima Connection
Our Lady of Fatima: On May 13, 1981 — the 64th anniversary of the first Fatima apparition — Pope John Paul II was shot in St. Peter's Square. After his recovery, the Pope sent the bullet that struck him to the Fatima Sanctuary, where it was set in the crown of the statue of Our Lady. He said: 'One hand pulled the trigger, another hand guided the bullet.'
The assassination attempt occurred on the anniversary of the first Fatima apparition (May 13), a striking coincidence. The Vatican officially linked this event to the Third Secret's vision of the 'Bishop dressed in White.' However, the bishop in the vision is killed while John Paul II survived; the setting described (ruined city, mountaintop cross) also differs from the actual location of the shooting.
The Prophecy of Russia's Consecration
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady requested the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, promising that if done, Russia would be converted and there would be peace. If not, Russia would 'spread her errors throughout the world.'
On March 25, 1984, Pope John Paul II performed a consecration of the world (without explicitly naming Russia). Sister Lucia later indicated that heaven accepted this consecration. The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, which some believers attribute to the consecration. However, debate continues: whether the consecration met Our Lady's exact requirements (by the Pope together with all bishops, explicitly naming Russia) remains disputed; and the world has not achieved lasting peace.
Second Secret: Consecration of Russia and Spread of Communism
Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady said: 'To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated.'
After the October Revolution of 1917, communism did spread globally: Eastern Europe, China, Cuba, Vietnam and other nations established communist regimes. The Church suffered severe persecution in communist countries during the Cold War. The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991; some believers attribute this to Pope John Paul II's consecration in 1984. The prediction of 'Russia spreading her errors' and Church persecution closely matches 20th-century history.