The National Shrine and Parish of St. Padre Pio in Santo Tomas, Batangas, has been designated an international shrine by the Holy See. The announcement came on June 4 from Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera. The formal declaration is set for September 23.
The decree granting the status was issued on May 25 by the Dicastery for Evangelization in Vatican City. It coincided with the 139th birth anniversary of St. Padre Pio. Archbishop Garcera, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, made the announcement. The shrine becomes the second international shrine in the Philippines. The first was the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo, Rizal, elevated in 2022. An international shrine is a pilgrimage site recognized for drawing devotees beyond national borders. The shrine's statement described the recognition as a historic milestone for the Archdiocese of Lipa and the Church in the Philippines. The formal elevation will occur on September 23, the feast day of St. Padre Pio.
