BARANGAY DON BOSCO, Parañaque City — Just a few days after elevating the Santa Cruz church in Manila, Pope Francis has also elevated the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque City to the rank of minor basilica.

This is the first church granted the honor in the 22-year-old Diocese of Parañaque, which is comprised of 50 full-fledged parishes, two quasi-parishes and one non-parochial shrine.

The new basilica is home to the century-old image of Mary, Help of Christians, which received canonical coronation in 2022.

With the elevation of the church, there are now a total of 26 minor basilicas in the Philippines.
This honor is given to churches around the world in acknowledgment of their historical or cultural significance, artistic beauty and importance in the life of the Church.

The designation also signifies a closer relationship with the Pope, with various privileges granted to a minor basilica, including the authority to display papal symbols.

The title of major basilica is reserved only to the four great churches in Rome.