The Fatima Apparitions refer to a series of reported visions of the Virgin Mary that occurred in 1917 in Fatima, Portugal. Three shepherd children, Lúcia dos Santos, Francisco Marto, and Jacinta Marto, claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary on several occasions, beginning on May 13 and continuing through October 13. During these apparitions, the children reported messages about prayer, penance, and the importance of devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The final apparition on October 13, 1917, is known for the "Miracle of the Sun," where thousands of witnesses reported seeing the sun appear to dance in the sky. The events at Fatima have been recognized by the Catholic Church, which has declared the site a place of pilgrimage and has canonized Francisco and Jacinta as saints. The messages from the apparitions continue to inspire many believers around the