The petition to give the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas City, Batangas international shrine status has received support from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The petition of the Archdiocese of Lipa received the CBCP endorsement during its 128th Plenary Assembly held in Cagayan de Oro City.

According to CBCP President Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, if approved by Rome, the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio will become the second international shrine in the Philippines, next to the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, also known as Antipolo Cathedral, declared official on January 26, 2024.

"Kami ay taos-pusong natutuwa at nagpapasalamat dahil ito ay bunga ng matagal naming pinagdasalan, pinagpaguran, at isang napakalaking biyaya nito na ang National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio ay mabigyan ng ganitong pagtitiwala ng Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines," Rev. Fr. Oscar Andal, Parish Priest of St. Padre Pio Shrine, said.

CBCP said its endorsement of the petition strengthens the devotion of Catholics to the revered saint. It expects an increase in visits from both local and international pilgrims.

"Mas higit na pinaghahandaan namin ‘yung adjustment sa liturgical celebration, siyempre kapag sinabi mong international shrine, marami ‘yang factors na ico-consider. Hindi lang siya physical, hindi lang siya external, kundi internal preparation din," Andal said.

The church dedicated to Saint Padre Pio was established in 2003 and was declared a National Shrine by the CBCP in 2015 — the first in Batangas and the CALABARZON region. 

It houses what is considered a first-class relic of the Italian church figure.

"Patuloy po tayong magdasal para sa lahat po ng mga devotee and pilgrim ni Padre Pio, upang sana ay dinggin ng Diyos ang ating panalangin na ang Padre Pio National Shrine dito sa Sto.Tomas, Batangas, Philippines ay ma-approve ng Vatican as International Shrine of St. Padre Pio in Asia," Andal said.