The Antipolo Cathedral, or the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, is set to be declared the first international shrine in the Philippines.
The petition to the Vatican to elevate the status of the cathedral was approved in June last year being the first in Southeast Asia and 11th worldwide.
"Since the declaration last June, it's official - we are now elevated into an international shrine, on the momentous occasion of the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis as head of our Church," the church announced.
The Papal decree was sent to the cathedral on March 13 and will be effective by March 25, the same day as the celebration of Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and the anniversary of the departure of the sacred image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage from Acapulco, Mexico to the Philippines.
"As the months have passed, we have prayed fervently to Our Mother that the petition be granted upon us, and now, our prayers have received a favorable response, hence, we are forever grateful," it added.
