Sto. Niño Shrine in Tondo elevated to minor basilica

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV has elevated the Sto. Niño Shrine in Tondo, Manila to the rank of minor basilica.

In a statement on Monday, the Archdiocese of Manila announced that the shrine had been formally granted the title.

The decree from the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments declaring the shrine a minor basilica read in Latin:

“The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, by virtue of the special faculties granted to it by the Supreme Pontiff LEO XIV, is pleased to bestow upon the parish church and archdiocesan shrine of the Child Jesus, Our Lord, known as Santo Niño de Tondo, in the city of Manila, the title and dignity of a MINOR BASILICA, with all the rights and liturgical concessions duly competent to it, provided that the requirements set forth in the Decree "On the Title of Minor Basilica" promulgated on the 9th day of November 1989 are observed.”

A minor basilica is a church designated by the Pope that holds particular importance for its historical, architectural, and liturgical significance.

The church was first erected in 1572 in Tondo, Manila.

It was built by the Augustinian Order, the congregation to which Pope Leo, also known as Robert Prevost, belongs.