Montalban Marian image gets Pope Leo's approval for coronation

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MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV has approved the pontifical coronation of a Marian image in Montalban, Rizal.

In a post, Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos said the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments granted the diocese's request for the pontifical coronation of the image of Mary, Mother of Peace.

“We are pleased to send you the Decree granting the Coronation of the above statue, in the name and with the authority of the Supreme Pontiff, which you will find attached to this letter, together with a parchment on which the same text is reproduced in a more decorative manner,” Archbishop Vittoro Francesco, the dicastery’s secretary, said in a letter to Santos.

According to the letter, the Diocese of Antipolo requested the pontifical coronation of the image on April 30.

Devotion recognized. “Through this Pontifical Coronation, the Universal Church recognizes the deep devotion of the faithful to our Blessed Mother under the title Maria, Ina ng Kapayapaan and affirms her maternal presence among the People of God,” Santos said.

As of May 2026, there are 65 canonically crowned Marian images in the Philippines. The latest is Nuestra Señora de Fátima de Urduja in Caloocan City.