Philippine: Marikina shrine named first Minor Basilica under Pope Leo XIV

The Vatican has elevated the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Paul of the Cross in Marikina City to the rank of a minor basilica.

This designation marks the first under the newly elected Pope Leo XIV and represents a benchmark for the Catholic Church in the Philippines.

The decree, dated May 13, 2025, was issued by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in response to a petition by Bishop Ruperto Cruz Santos of the Diocese of Antipolo. The request was initially submitted in December 2024, during the papacy of Pope Francis, but was approved just five days after Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected pope, taking the name Leo XIV.

This elevation makes the shrine the second minor basilica in the Diocese of Antipolo, following the designation of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Taytay in early 2024.

Bishop Santos described the Vatican’s recognition as a “momentous blessing” and a “sacred recognition” not only for the local Church but also for the broader Catholic community.

“May this basilica become a haven of prayer, renewal, and spiritual refuge, echoing the love and mercy of God to all who seek Him,” the bishop shared in his statement.

He emphasized that the two basilicas in the diocese now serve as pillars of faith and devotion, drawing pilgrims and worshippers into a deeper encounter with Christ.

“As we celebrate this divine gift, may we continue to nurture and strengthen our faith, bringing forth the spirit of evangelization in our community,” he added.

Established as a parish in 1975, the church is the oldest in the Philippines dedicated to St. Paul of the Cross. It was originally administered by the Passionist Fathers until its pastoral care was transferred to the Diocese of Antipolo in 2004.

The shrine is also home to the pontifically crowned image of Nuestra Señora de Fátima de Marikina, a cherished Marian devotion among Filipino Catholics.

Receiving the title of minor basilica links the church more closely to the Holy Father and the Church of Rome. It also carries distinct privileges, including the use of the ombrellino—a red and yellow canopy; the tintinnabulum—a bell mounted on a pole for processions; and the crossed papal keys on official insignia, a symbol of communion with the pope.

As part of the universal Church, this new basilica in Marikina now stands as a visible sign of the Catholic faith’s global unity and deep local roots in Asia.