Pope Pius XII solemnly consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart in 1942, on the Vigil of All Saints, in accordance with the wish of Our Holy Mother who had appeared on May 13, 1917 to three shepherd children at Fatima (Portugal) and on the same day of the month during the succeeding five months.
She conveyed the wishes of her Divine Son that devotion be fostered to her Immaculate Heart. Our Lady further revealed that she was the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary and desired this devotion to be frequently and fervently practiced. The Pope added the new feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the universal calendar in 1945.