Catholic devotees visit the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Daniel Jacob, ABS-CBN News
MANILA —The shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas is officially an international shrine, the second in the Philippines.
The first is the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City, Rizal.
A Filipino home for Padre Pio: From parish to international shrine
"The devotion will not just be exclusively for us Batangueños, but for the whole Philippines and for Asia," said Most Rev. Gilbert A. Garcera, Archbishop of Lipa and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
"When we received the official document from Rome that Padre Pio will be an international shrine, we made sure that all the commissions, all the ministry will be working," he added. "This is not just the work of Padre Pio staff but the whole Diocese of Lipa."
Devotees showed up on Wednesday, eager to witness the historic milestone of a humble church nestled in the 17-hectare sanctuary.
"Gusto naming mapuntahan yung first international shrine of Padre Pio. Kasi, gusto namin ma-witness. Personally, wala na kong hinihiling pa. Gusto kong ma-heal ang mundo para in my later years meron pang magandang mangyari," said devotee Boots Asidillo.
An estimate of 7,000 to 8,000 devotees graced the declaration, which coincided with Saint Padre Pio's feast day.
"Bago po ito naging national, napakaraming itinanong sa episcopal conference, CBCP, at yun po yung mga record of healings, testimonies, at nakasulat talaga, anecdotal records. Nagpapatunay how deep the conversions have been and the healings that were done," said Msgr. Ruben Dimaculangan, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Lipa.
As the shrine transitions as an international shrine, readings and masses will soon be delivered in different languages as well to promote inclusivity among all pilgrims from all nations.