June 29, 2026, the Solemn Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Archbishops David Antonio of Nueva Segovia, Alberto Uy of Cebu, and Charlie Inzon of Cotabato received the pallium from Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Woven from lamb’s wool, the pallium is not a symbol of rank, but of service. It gives visible expression to Christ’s call to self-emptying love – a call addressed not only to bishops, but to every Christian. It is traditionally presented to each of the metropolitan archbishops (those with oversight over other bishops in their ecclesiastical region) who have been named in the 12 months leading up to the June feast.
As Pope Leo XIV explained in his homily:
These bands of white wool adorned with crosses indeed express the commitment of every shepherd — and also of every Christian — to take upon their shoulders the brothers and sisters entrusted to them, like so many lambs of the Lord's flock, and to sacrifice their energy, time, effort and even their lives for them.
The pallium is therefore a tangible reminder of an archbishop’s vocation to serve his flock with the generosity of Christ. It is not an award to be earned but a visible sign of the burden he carries in faithful service to the Church.
An “anatomy” of the pallium
Here are the different elements that make up the pallium. Each one carries deep spiritual and scriptural significance:
- The Material: The pallium is made of heavy lamb's wool. This weighty textile reminds us of that moment from Luke’s gospel where Jesus tells his disciples that he is like the good shepherd who leaves his flock to look for that one lost sheep and once he finds it, he “sets it on his shoulders with great joy.”
- The Black Tips: There are dark pieces of silk hanging at the ends of the pallium. They aren't meant to be decorative accents, but styled to look like the hooves of the sheep.
- The Three Pins: The archbishops pin the pallium down with three jeweled pins (spinulae). Aside from serving a practical need, they symbolize the three nails of the Crucifixion.
- The Six Crosses: Woven in black or red, these embroidered crosses represent the wounds of Jesus, and the reality that spiritual leadership is a heavy cross to carry.
More about these archbishops and their crosses
The three Filipino metropolitan archbishops who received the pallium this year were not a random group. They represent the full breadth of the Philippines, with one archbishop coming from each of the country’s three main island groups.
Archbishop David Antonio serves the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia in the Ilocos Region of Northern Luzon. Unlike many dioceses in the Central and Southern Philippines, which were founded by the Jesuits or Dominicans, his diocese was established by the Augustinians. Their monastic spirituality has left a lasting imprint on the spirituality of Ilocanos. In contrast to the exuberant expressions of faith in Manila and Cebu, the piety of Ilocos is often quieter, more restrained, and more reflective.
At the same time, some Ilocano Catholics continue to observe pre-colonial rituals offering food to ancestral and nature spirits. Over time, these practices have taken on syncretic forms, sometimes even incorporating the rosary into food offerings laid out for these mythical beings. Leading the faithful away from such practices – with compassion and clarity – will be one of the weighty pastoral responsibilities awaiting Archbishop Antonio.
Archbishop Alberto Uy comes from Cebu, the cradle of Catholicism in the Philipppines. It was here that the first Spanish missionaries arrived in 1521, and today, the Archdiocese of Cebu is home to the largest Catholic population in Asia, with around 4.7 to 5 million baptized faithful. Part of Archbishop Uy’s mission will be to unite this vast and diverse local Church.
Cebu is also surrounded by islands frequently struck by typhoons. As a result, Archbishop Uy will carry the demanding responsibility of leading Cebuano’s Catholics to come to the aid of their neighbors in times of calamity.
Archbishop Charlie Inzon serves the Archdiocese of Cotabato in southwestern Mindanao, the southernmost island group of the Philippines. Although his Archdiocese is predominantly Christian, Cotabato City, where the Archbishop residence is located, has a 75% to 80% Muslim majority.
With this unique population, Archbishop Inzon’s ministry includes the challenging task of fostering peace and strengthening relationships between Muslims and Christians.
Less about privilege, more about service.
These details remind us that to be an archbishop is less about authority and more about the weighty responsibility of leading people to God. When our archbishops return home to wear their pallia in their cathedrals, we faithful shouldn’t just applaud their office.
When we look up at the altar and see the lamb’s wool on their shoulders, may we recognize the raw promise it represents: Here is a shepherd who has pledged to Christ and His vicar on earth to carry us on his back, no matter how heavy our lives may be.
And recognizing the crushing weight of this promise, may we pray unceasingly for their strength, fidelity, and holiness.
