Palo Metropolitan Cathedral
Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord's Transfiguration
A cathedral from the Spanish colonial era in Palo, used as an Allied hospital during the Second World War, where Pope Francis celebrated Mass in 2015.
The Palo Metropolitan Cathedral (Cathedral of the Transfiguration) dates back to the late 16th century, and the current stone church was built in the 18th century. It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Palo. During the 1944 Leyte campaign it was turned into an Allied field hospital. Typhoon Haiyan tore off its roof, and in 2015 Pope Francis presided over a service here during his visit to the disaster zone. The open square in front of the church is spacious, and nearby is a memorial park for the mass grave of Haiyan victims. The cathedral is about 12 km from Tacloban and can be combined with MacArthur Landing Memorial Park and Hill 522.
Opening hours
About 06:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Hill 522 (Calvary Hill)
- MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park
- Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum
- Santo Niño Church
- Price Mansion
- Leyte Provincial Capitol
- MV Eva Jocelyn Yolanda Memorial
- San Juanico Bridge