Hundreds of thousands of Catholic worshippers participated in the annual procession in the Philippines to honor a centuries-old black statue of Jesus Nazareno. The event, which took place in Manila, is a significant Catholic celebration in Asia. The statue, previously known as the Black Nazarene, was renamed to eliminate any racial connotations.
The procession began before dawn with an estimated 250,000 attendees, a number that grew throughout the day. Last year, over 2 million devotees joined the 15-hour procession, with some estimates reaching over 6 million participants.
Devotees like Gaspar Espinocilla, a Manila city employee, prayed for the health of their families and for peace in the South China Sea. Gaspar expressed hope for a resolution to the tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the region.
Renato Reyes, a long-time devotee, prayed for a better life for his family, an end to calamities in the Philippines, and global peace. He also included in his prayers the Filipino immigrants who may be affected by the policies of the incoming U.S. President, Donald Trump.
The procession was closely monitored by thousands of police officers, with additional security measures such as drone surveillance and rooftop commandos. Ambulances were on standby to assist devotees who fell ill during the event.
The statue of Jesus Nazareno, brought to the Philippines from Mexico in 1606, has survived various challenges over the centuries, including fires, earthquakes, and bombings during World War II. Many devotees view the statue's endurance as a testament to its miraculous powers.
