ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) - The pope has elevated a historic church in suburban Detroit to the status of minor basilica.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit says that Pope Francis awarded the honor to the National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak.
The archdiocese says in a statement that the title of minor basilica "is given to churches around the world to denote a particular importance in liturgical and pastoral life and a closer relationship with the pope."
Only churches in Rome hold the title major basilica.
Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron says he requested the status change last year.
Royal Oak Shrine is one of 82 minor basilicas in the U.S. The other one in Michigan is the Basilica of St. Adalbert in Grand Rapids.
