Millions of worshippers have visited a Roman Catholic shrine in southern India, two months after Pope John Paul II declared the site the country's "historic center of Christianity," a priest said.
The pilgrimage center, atop a forested area northeast of Cochin in Kerala state, is dedicated to the Apostle Thomas, said to be the first century founder of Christianity in India.
An estimated 3 million people visited on Easter weekend, said the rector, Varghese Njaliath, and up to 10,000 people of various religions visit daily.
The St. Thomas Church is one of seven St. Thomas is believed to have established in India. Pilgrims drink from a spring created - according to legend - when St. Thomas felt thirsty and hit a rock.