Pope Leo to bestow the pallium on 3 Filipino archbishops in Rome

Filipino Archbishops Alberto Uy of Cebu, Charlie Inzon of Cotabato, and David William Antonio of Nueva Segovia are set to receive the pallium from Pope Leo XIV in Rome on June 29 during the feast of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

The pallium will be vested on newly appointed metropolitan archbishops around the world in a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica presided by Pope Leo, the CBCP News reported Friday.

Annually, newly appointed metropolitan archbishops travel to the Vatican to receive the pallium, which is regarded as one of the most significant symbols in their office.

In 2025, Uy was appointed archbishop on July 16, Inzon on September 8, and Antonio on November 4. In the same year, Uy and Inzon were installed on September 30 and December 8, respectively. Meanwhile, Antonio was installed January 14, 2026.

On Wednesday, Archbishop Uy left for Rome to receive his pallium and “make a pilgrimage to several holy sites in Europe.”

"Today, June 24, 2026, I will be leaving for Rome to receive the PALLIUM from the Holy Father, a sacred vestment worn by the Pope and metropolitan archbishops as a symbol of the Good Shepherd and of our communion with the Holy Father and the universal Church," said Uy in a statement.

The pallium is made from white wool and is worn over the shoulders of the archbishops during liturgical celebration within the ecclesiastical provinces.

“It signifies their pastoral responsibility, their unity with the pope and their role as shepherds of the flock entrusted to them. The vestment is marked with six black silk crosses and secured with three pins, traditionally recalling the nails used in Christ’s crucifixion.” CBCP News said.

The wool used to make the pallia comes from lambs traditionally blessed each year on the feast of St. Agnes, and kept overnight near the tomb of St. Peter before being blessed by the pope on June 29, it added. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BAP, GMA News