Pope elevates two Philippine churches to minor basilicas

Pope Francis designated the Sta. Cruz Parish Church in Manila as a minor basilica, bringing the total number to 25 churches in the country.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila confirmed on Wednesday that the church will now be known as the 'Minor Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar'.

Established in 1619 by Jesuit priests and named after Our Lady of the Pillar, the church suffered damage from earthquakes and destruction during World War II before being rebuilt in 1957 with Baroque influences.

In addition to Sta. Cruz Parish Church, Pope Francis also elevated the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Parañaque City to a minor basilica status on Thursday, March 27.

This is the first time that a church in the Diocese of Parañaque was declared a minor basilica.

Minor basilicas are granted special privileges such as displaying the papal symbols and possessing an umbraculum and tintinnabulum to signify their elevated status.