Final answer:
The Catholic Church officially recognized and approved the Lourdes apparitions and messages on February 18, 1862, after investigating the reported apparitions in Lourdes, France.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Catholic Church officially recognized and approved the Lourdes apparitions and messages on February 18, 1862. This recognition came after a thorough investigation by the Church into the reported apparitions that took place in Lourdes, France, beginning in 1858.
The apparitions were deemed genuine and the message received by Bernadette Soubirous was considered to be in line with Catholic teachings.
The recognition and approval of the Lourdes apparitions by the Catholic Church have had a significant impact on the popularity and devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes worldwide.