Uy, 2 other archbishops to receive pallium from Pope Leo

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy and two other Filipino archbishops will receive the pallium from Pope Leo XIV, a woolen vestment symbolizing their authority as metropolitan archbishops and their communion with the pontiff.

Each year, newly appointed metropolitan archbishops travel to the Vatican to receive the pallium, one of the most significant symbols of their office.

Aside from Uy, other archbishops who will receive the pallium from Pope Leo include Cotabato Archbishop Charlie Inzon and Nueva Segovia Archbishop David William Antonio.

Pope Leo will preside over a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, during which he will bless and impose the pallia on newly appointed metropolitan archbishops from around the world.

Uy, 59, was appointed archbishop of Cebu on July 16, 2025, and installed on Sept. 30; while Inzon, 60, was appointed archbishop of Cotabato on Sept. 8, 2025, and installed on Dec. 8; and Antonio, 62, was appointed archbishop of Nueva Segovia on Nov. 4, 2025, and installed on Jan. 14, 2026.

“Pray for me and for my fellow archbishops, that the Lord may grant us safe travel and help us to be faithful shepherds of His people,” Uy said.

The pallium, made from white wool, is worn over the shoulders by metropolitan archbishops during liturgical celebrations within their ecclesiastical provinces.

It signifies their pastoral responsibility, their unity with the pope and their role as shepherds of the flock entrusted to them.

The vestment is marked with six black silk crosses and secured with three pins, traditionally recalling the nails used in Christ’s crucifixion.

The wool used to make the pallia comes from lambs traditionally blessed each year on the feast of St. Agnes. The pallia are then kept overnight near the tomb of St. Peter before being blessed by the pope during the June 29 liturgy.

Meanwhile, Uy has called on the faithful to participate in the White Ribbon Movement March today, June 28, describing it as a faith-based and non-partisan expression of commitment to truth, accountability, justice, and righteousness in public life.

 In a pastoral appeal dated June 23, 2026, Uy urged Catholics attending Sunday Mass on June 28 to wear white clothing or pin a white ribbon as a symbol of support for the movement, which is being organized by various religious groups and endorsed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

 The archbishop also encouraged families, schools, offices, businesses, and institutions to display white ribbons in homes, vehicles, workplaces, churches, parish offices, and buildings to signify their shared desire for integrity, transparency, and good governance.

 According to Uy, the white ribbon represents hope for a nation free from corruption and dishonesty and serves as a call for accountability among public officials, responsible stewardship of public resources, and the pursuit of truth and justice for the common good.

 He emphasized that the symbol also reminds citizens that meaningful reform begins not only in institutions but within individuals themselves.

 Citing Isaiah 1:17, which states, “Learn to do good; seek justice,” and Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” Uy called on the faithful to accompany the observance with prayer, asking God to renew the nation in truth, justice, and love.

 The archbishop stressed that the commitment to honesty and accountability should not end after June 28.

 “Beyond June 28, let us continue to exercise critical discernment, seek the truth, reject misinformation, resist every form of corruption, and hold ourselves and our leaders accountable,” Uy said.

 He added that Christians and citizens alike are called to become witnesses to honesty, justice, and integrity in their daily lives.

 Uy further said his message with a prayer that the nation may be blessed with leaders guided by wisdom and conscience and cited Matthew 5:6, which reads: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (CEBU NEWS)