Lula goes to the Manila cathedral to visit Our Lady of Aparecida donated by the national shrine

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) went to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Manila, capital of the Philippines, this Saturday morning (14), local time, to visit the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida donated by the saint's National Shrine in December 2025.

Lula was accompanied by the first lady, Janja da Silva, and was received by Monsignor Rolando dela Cruz, rector of the cathedral, and by Brazilian Monsignor Guilherme Sanches, of the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines. In front of the image, the president and Janja prayed the Hail Mary and sang songs in honor of the saint.

In a post on social media, Lula stated that "it was moving to see such a beloved symbol of the faith and devotion of the Brazilian people cross oceans and be welcomed with such affection."

The president did not mention the controversy that involved the saint during the second round of elections for the Presidency, when the then presidential candidate, Flávio Bolsonaro, was accused of having a plan to revoke the title of Our Lady of Aparecida as Patroness of Brazil.

The dispute arose from false news that circulated at the time, according to which the senator would strip Our Lady of Aparecida of the title of patron saint of Brazil based on a bill, filed around 20 years ago, that presented the proposal.

The image of the saint was delivered to the Manila cathedral by the hands of the Brazilian ambassador to the country, Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura, during the Mass of the Brothers. The diplomat carried the image to the pulpit alongside the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jose Advincula, at the celebration.

The event is the official opening of the Great Marian Procession of Intramuros, which takes place on the first Sunday in December and celebrates the Immaculate Conception, patron saint of the Philippines.

According to the Intramuros Administration, the government agency responsible for the maintenance and restoration of the central historic district, the celebration began in 1619 and was resumed in 1980, after a hiatus.

Lula's trip to the cathedral is part of the PT member's agenda in the Asian country, which centers on a state visit, held on the same morning, and participation in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in Portuguese) summit on Sunday (15).