"These things are miracles, and you have to honor and respect that," said visitor Jose Recinos.For days, they've come by the hundreds with flowers and candles. Some even have their picture taken beside the image.The Illinois Department of Transportation said the image is the creation of winter salt and water runoff.But many in the steady stream of onlookers feel it's a gift."It's hard to begin to believe, but when (you) see it, it changes something in you," said visitor Snezzana Dilorinco.Some in Chicago's Polish community feel the image celebrates the life of Pope John Paul II.Others believe it resembles the patron saint of Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe.While police said they have safety concerns about so many people congregating on the side of a busy roadway, there are no plans to scrub the image from the wall.Instead, officials said they will treat it as if it were a roadside memorial.
Slideshow: Pilgrims Pour By Expressway Virgin Mary
