MANILA (UPDATED) — The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has endorsed the application of the National Padre Pio Shrine in Sto. Tomas, Batangas to become an international shrine.

CBCP President Bishop Pablo Virgilio David made the announcement in the press conference at the conclusion of its 128th plenary assembly held in Cagayan de Oro City.

"We have approved to endorse the application of the National Shrine of Padre Pio in (Sto. Tomas), Batangas into an international shrine. Once approved by Rome, it’s going to be the second international shrine in the Philippines," he said on Monday.

Libo-libong deboto dinagsa ang heart relic ni Padre Pio sa Batangas

David said the bishops came up with the decision during the high-level meeting.

Only the Vatican can approve the designation of a shrine to international status.

The Shrine of Padre Pio was recognized as a national shrine in 2015, seven years after it was declared an archdiocesan shrine in 2008.

Pilgrims visit the shrine to seek the intercession of St. Padre Pio, who was known for his stigmata and gift of healing.

The Philippines currently has one international shrine, the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City.

The Vatican approved the international shrine status for the Antipolo Cathedral in June 2022. It was formally declared an international shrine in a ceremony last January.

The elevation of a shrine's status is seen to boost visitors in these sites.

CBCP NAMES 2 MORE NATIONAL SHRINES

The CBCP has also elevated two parish churches as national shrines.

David said the bishops also approved the designation during the plenary assembly.

"Two diocesan shrines have been approved for elevation to national shrines. Our Lady of the Assumption Shrine in Maasin, Southern Leyte and the Our Lady of Mercy Shrine in Novaliches, Quezon City," he said in the same press conference.

According to the CBCP, "a shrine is regarded by many faithful as a congenial center of devotion or pilgrimage."

The parish in Maasin was dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption in 1843. When it became a cathedral in 1968, the new diocese named the Our Lady of the Assumption as its patroness.

The Our Lady of the Assumption will be the first national shrine in Eastern Visayas.

Meanwhile, the Novaliches shrine is the oldest church in the diocese and was established by Augustinian missionaries.

It was declared a diocesan shrine in 2008. The church's image of Our Lady of Mercy was then granted canonical coronation in 2021.

The church will also be the first national shrine in the diocese.