Archbishop Midyphil “Dodong” Billones of Jaro received the pallium from Pope Leo XIV during a solemn ceremony at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, marking a significant milestone in his pastoral leadership.
The vesting took place during the Pontifical Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, a traditional occasion for newly appointed metropolitan archbishops to formally receive the pallium—a white woolen band that represents the Pope’s trust and the archbishop’s authority within his ecclesiastical province.
Following the Mass, a heartfelt thanksgiving celebration was held at the Pontificio Collegio Filipino. Filipino clergy, including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Archbishop Ryan Jimenez of Guam, joined Archbishop Billones in the gathering, highlighting the unity and pride of the Filipino Catholic community in Rome.
