The Vatican has raised the status of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Paul of the Cross in Marikina City to that of a minor basilica, making this an unprecedented milestone in the country during the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV.
The announcement was carried out via a decree released on May 13, 2025, by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. This followed a request presented in December 2024 by Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Cruz Santos towards the end of Pope Francis’s tenure. The decree came into effect merely five days subsequent to Cardinal Robert Prevort taking up his role as Pope Leo XIV.
Santos referred to the Vatican's endorsement as a "significant blessing" and a "holy acknowledgment" of the profound faith and dedication within the Marikina church community.
Santos stated, “Let this basilica serve as a sanctuary for prayer, rejuvenation, and spiritual solace, resonating with the love and compassion of God for everyone who seeks Him.” He added, “In honoring this heavenly blessing, let us keep fostering and fortifying our belief, thereby spreading the essence of evangelism within our community.”
This achievement marks the Shrine of Saint Paul of the Cross as the second minor basilica within the Diocese of Antipolo, coming after the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist in Taytay, which was granted this status in 2024.
The Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Paul of the Cross became a parish in 1975, which makes it the first church in the Philippines named after its patron saint. Initially overseen by the Passionist Fathers, control over religious duties shifted to the Diocese of Antipolo in 2004.
Thanks to its elevated standing, the basilica now enjoys distinctive benefits that underscore its stronger ties with the papacy and the Roman Catholic Church. Among these perks are the utilization of the "ombrellino" — a red and yellow umbrella emblematic of papal supremacy—alongside the right to feature the tintinnabulum, which is a ritualistic bell employed during religious parades. Additionally, the church has been granted permission to showcase the crossed keys associated with Saint Peter on all its flags and formal signs.
Santos mentioned that the two small basilicas within our diocese now serve as strong supports for faith, welcoming both pilgrims and devotees to experience an intense and life-changing connection with Christ.