Pope Francis has conferred the title of “minor basilica” on an 18th-century church in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, acknowledging its rich historical and cultural significance.
Bishop Sebastian Thekethecheril of Vijayapuram announced on March 27, 2026, that he received a decree elevating the Mount Carmel Church as a Minor Basilica from the Dicastery for Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments.
Pope Francis has declared Taytay church in the Diocese of Antipolo in the province of Rizal as a minor basilica, making it one of the only 23 churches on that status in the Philippines.
