VATICAN CITY — His Eminence Cardinal Jose Advincula, together with the clergy of the Archdiocese of Manila, has presented His Holiness Pope Leo XIV with a handcrafted wooden ferula as a symbol of faith and unity.
The ferula — a pastoral staff used by the Pope — was meticulously crafted from teakwood and narra casement by renowned Kapampangan sculptor Willy Layug, celebrated for his sacred art pieces found in churches across the Philippines and abroad.
Layug, a master artist from Betis, Pampanga, is widely recognized for his contributions to religious art, blending traditional Filipino craftsmanship with profound theological symbolism.
