Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva visited an image of Our Lady of Aparecida at Manila’s Metropolitan Cathedral on Saturday, Nov. 14. (Foto: Instagram)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited an image of Our Lady of Aparecida at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Manila on Saturday, Nov. 14. The National Shrine of Aparecida donated the image to the cathedral in 2025. First Lady Janja Lula da Silva joined the visit, along with Monsignor Rolando dela Cruz, the cathedral’s rector, and Brazilian Monsignor Guilherme Sanches.
Lula said the image’s presence in Manila represented the faith and devotion of Brazilians and the ties between Brazil and the Philippines. In a social media post, he described it as moving to see a symbol cherished by Brazilians cross the ocean and receive such a warm welcome far from home. He said the image also represented bonds of friendship, faith and hope between the two peoples.
The couple visited the Chapel of Our Lady of the Pillar and prayed before the image, Lula said. He added that Brazilian religious figures living in the Philippines also shared the occasion. The Philippines has Asia’s largest Catholic population.
Lula is in the Philippines to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit. His trip is the first state visit to the country by a Brazilian president, according to the report. Lula called the milestone a source of pride and described the Philippines as Brazil’s oldest partner in Southeast Asia. The visit is intended to expand diplomatic and trade relations with countries in the region.
The trip comes days after the Philippine Department of Agriculture announced a 60-day suspension of pork imports from Brazil. On Saturday, Lula also met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. After the meeting, Lula reiterated his support for the Palestinian people and addressed the effects of the war involving Iran on the Philippines. He said the leaders rejected wars and their effects on human lives and global supply chains, and that the Philippines was among the countries most affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, where several Filipinos had been killed. Lula also said Brazil maintained a firm position in support of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
