A group of about 40 people from Ghajnsielem have returned from a seven-day visit in Lourdes, France. The group even had a close encounter with Pope Benedict XVI who visited the shrine to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Apparitions. Lourdes has drawn pilgrims since Mary was said to have appeared in 1858. This was the second tour to Lourdes which was organized for the Ghajnslemizi this year.