STO. TOMAS, BATANGAS β The Parish and National Shrine of St. Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas has officially been elevated to the status of an International Shrine, strengthening its recognition as a major pilgrimage destination for devotees from the Philippines and abroad.
The formal declaration was made on September 23, 2026, officially recognizing the shrine as an international pilgrimage site dedicated to St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, the Italian Capuchin friar widely venerated by Catholics around the world.
The elevation was based on a Vatican Decree issued by the Dicastery for Evangelization on May 25, 2026, coinciding with the 139th anniversary of the birth of St. Padre Pio. With the declaration, the St. Padre Pio Shrine becomes the second International Shrine in the Philippines, following the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City.
The new status is considered a significant milestone for the Archdiocese of Lipa, Batangas, and the Catholic Church in the Philippines, as the shrine continues to attract thousands of devotees and pilgrims seeking prayer, spiritual reflection, and healing.
According to Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, the recognition marks an important chapter not only in the history of Batangas and the Archdiocese of Lipa but also for the country as a whole. The elevation is also expected to further strengthen faith tourism in Batangas, as more pilgrims from different parts of the Philippines and from neighboring Asian countries and other parts of the world are expected to visit Sto. Tomas.
As an International Shrine, the St. Padre Pio Shrine is expected to play a greater role in welcoming pilgrims and providing a place for prayer, reflection, devotion, and spiritual renewal. The recognition further highlights Sto. Tomas as an important destination for Catholic pilgrimage and places the St. Padre Pio Shrine among religious sites with an international dimension, potentially bringing more visitors and strengthening the area’s religious tourism sector. #
