Filipinos celebrate 500 years of Christianity in Vatican City

Filipinos are heading on over to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City to celebrate 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.

Pope Francis will be leading the 5pm Holy Mass as well as lead the recitation of the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square shortly after.

In the photos shared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) on Sunday, participants can be seen wearing traditional Filipino clothes like the Filipiniana and the Barong Tagalog. A statue of Sto. Niño de Cebu is also being carried around.

LOOK: Filipinos start arriving at the St. Peter's Basilica for a 5pm Mass with Pope Francis to celebrate the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines. (???? Fr. Eriscon Josuè) #500YearsOfChristianity #500YOC #MissioAdGentes #GiftedToGive pic.twitter.com/3wnHMqvvrs

— CBCPNews (@cbcpnews) March 14, 2021

On the first week of March, Pope Francis issued a decree stating that Filipinos can receive plenary indulgence during the celebration.

In February, Filipino designer Mak Tumang shared that he designed the gown worn by Jamie Rivera in the music video of “We Give Our Yes,” the official mission song of Christianity’s 500th anniversary in the country. — Franchesca Viernes/LA, GMA News