LOOK: Canada, Brazil leaders visit Manila Cathedral on sidelines of ASEAN Summit

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva went to the Manila Cathedral on Saturday on the sidelines of their visit to the Philippines for the 49th ASEAN Summit.

In a social media post by the cathedral, Carney visited the historic church on Saturday evening and was welcomed by Msgr. Rolando R. dela Cruz and Fr. Vicente Gabriel S.J. Bautista.

Manila Cathedral was only one of Carney’s stops during his Intramuros tour, which also reportedly included Fort Santiago.

“The Manila Cathedral was honored to welcome Prime Minister Carney and share with him a glimpse of the rich history, faith, and cultural heritage of the Filipino people,” the church posted on Facebook.

Lula and his wife, First Lady Rosângela Lula da Silva, likewise visited the Mother Church of the Philippines, where they were received by Msgr. Guilherme de Melos Sanches and Msgr. dela Cruz.

Lula’s trip marks the first-ever state visit by a sitting Brazilian president to the country and coincides with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brazil.

The Brazilian President and First Lady toured the Manila Cathedral and paid homage to the replica image of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil’s Principal Patroness, enthroned at the cathedral's Nuestra Sra. del Pilar Chapel.

“Their visit stands as a meaningful expression of the longstanding spiritual and cultural ties that unite the Church in the Philippines and the people of Brazil,” the church said.

Both Carney and Lula are in the country to attend the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the invitation of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

The Summit is scheduled from November 16 to 18, with the opening ceremony held on Sunday, November 15.. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/KG, GMA News