VATICAN CITY. In a solemn ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis officially elevated Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan to the rank of cardinal, marking a historic moment for the Catholic Church in the Philippines.
David becomes the 10th Filipino cardinal, joining Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization. The ceremony, known as the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals, also welcomed 20 other new cardinals from across the globe.
During the event, Cardinal David received the traditional symbols of his new office: a cardinal ring, a red biretta, and a document confirming his elevation. He will also be assigned a titular church in Rome, a customary practice for new cardinals.
In his homily, Pope Francis urged the new cardinals to remain steadfast in their mission as “builders of communion and unity,” cautioning against the perils of fatigue and competition.
“Let us not forget that being tired ruins your heart. Those who are tired are first to be corrupted. To walk in the path of Jesus means, in the end, to be builders of communion and unity,” the Pope said.
Addressing the diversity of the newly appointed cardinals, the Pope added:
“The Lord is looking at you, you who come from different backgrounds and cultures and represent the Catholicity of the church. He is calling you to be witnesses of fraternity, to be artisans of communion and builders of unity, and this is your mission.”
The new cardinals hail from countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Italy, Britain, Serbia, Japan, Indonesia, Canada, Ivory Coast, the Philippines, and Algeria. Of the 21 appointed, 20 are under the age of 80, granting them the right to vote in a future papal conclave.
By early 2025, there will be 140 cardinal electors, with nearly 80% appointed by Pope Francis. This will bolster the possibility of continuity in the Pope’s vision for a more inclusive and progressive Church.
David, who has served as the bishop of Kalookan since 2015, has long been recognized for his pastoral leadership. On October 6, Pope Francis announced his promotion, and four days later, David met the Pope in person.
“Bishop Ambo arrived early at the Synod Hall. He discovered that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, had also arrived ahead of schedule. Approaching his table, the bishop introduced himself in Spanish, saying, ‘Santo Padre, I am the Bishop from the Philippines. You’ve changed my life again!’” the Roman Catholic Bishop of Kalookan recounted in a Facebook post.
Ordained as a priest in 1983 for the Archdiocese of San Fernando, David has held various leadership roles, including auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese before his appointment to Kalookan.
Pope Francis emphasized the role of cardinals as humble servants of the Gospel, stating, “Love one another with fraternal love, and be servants to one another… servants of the gospel. Dear brothers, let us walk in the way of Jesus together with humility, wonder, and love.”
Cardinal David’s elevation is a proud moment for the Philippines. It reflects the country’s deep Catholic heritage and its continuing contributions to the global Church.
Photo Credit: GMA News Online
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
