Santos Parish elevated to Minor Basilica by Vatican

The Paróquia Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Pompéia in Santos, São Paulo, has been elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica by the Vatican. The title was granted by Pope Leo XIV, recognizing the temple's spiritual, historical, pastoral, and cultural significance.

The announcement coincided with the 100th anniversary of the parish, which was founded in 1926. The official decree from the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments was read by the Diocesan Bishop of Santos, Dom Joaquim Mol, during a mass attended by over 1,200 people.

As a Minor Basilica, the church assumes specific pastoral responsibilities, including serving as a center for pilgrimage and strengthening liturgical celebrations. The new status also introduces specific liturgical symbols, such as the use of an umbraculum, a tintinnabulum, and the pontifical coat of arms.