As the pope himself noted, there is always the danger of reducing popular piety to external rituals and superstition ...

Filipinos turned the streets of Manila to a sea of maroon and gold and swarmed the “Black Nazarene,” a life-sized image of Jesus Christ bearing down a cross, as devotees jostled for a chance ...

MANILA, Philippines — The first day of the traditional pahalik or kissing of the image of the Black Nazarene drew more than 9,000 devotees at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. In a span of 21 ...

Filipino Catholic devotees jostle one another to touch the Black Nazarene during its annual procession on Jan. 9, 2025, in Manila, Philippines. Credit: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images Rappler ...

MANILA, Philippines — Over 22,000 devotees joined the pahalik or kissing of the Black Nazarene’s image at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila yesterday. As of 8 a.m. yesterday, 22,327 people had ...