Maria Virginia Sy

Kalookan  Bishop Pablo Virgilio David kneels before Pope Francis as he is  officially inducted to the Sacred College of Cardinals. 📷 Screenshot from Vatican News livestream

Article (news)

Philippines' Bishop Ambo now a cardinal

Erik Tenedero

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173358982384820241207-vatican-cardinal-virgilio-david-VN-1.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David kneels before Pope Francis as he is officially inducted to the Sacred College of Cardinals. 📷 Screenshot from Vatican News livestream"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David kneels before Pope Francis as he is officially inducted to the Sacred College of Cardinals. 📷 <em>Screenshot from Vatican News livestream</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA - Pope Francis has officially elevated Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David as a cardinal, becoming the 10th Filipino to hold the title.</p><p>In a public consistory held at the St. Peter&#x27;s Basilica on Saturday, the pontiff created 21 cardinals, including David.</p><p>Many are known figures with the same pastoral style and theological convictions as Francis and are expected to continue his reform agenda.</p><p>David, also the incumbent president of the Catholic Bishops&#x27; Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), received the red biretta and the cardinalatial ring from the pope.</p><p>Red is the assigned color for cardinals and symbolizes their willingness to be a martyr for the Catholic faith.</p><p>A champion of human rights and care for the poor, the 65-year-old bishop did not shy away from threats and attacks when he criticized former president Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s bloody war on illegal drugs.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/6/pope-francis-picks-phs-bishop-pablo-david-as-new-cardinal-1926" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pope Francis picks PH&#x27;s Bishop Pablo David as new cardinal</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/7/-like-being-caught-in-a-whirlwind-how-bishop-david-found-out-pope-chose-him-as-new-cardinal-1014" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#x27;Like being caught in a whirlwind&#x27;: How Bishop David found out Pope chose him as new cardinal</a></div><p>His diocese in the northern district of Philippines&#x27; capital region saw many young victims of the previous administration&#x27;s crackdown against illegal drug peddlers and users.</p><p>He has since introduced several programs in the diocese for community-based drug rehabilitation programs.</p><p>In a statement, the Diocese of Kalookan expressed its joy for David&#x27;s induction to the Sacred College of Cardinals.</p><p>&quot;This milestone highlights Bishop Ambo&#x27;s dedicated pastoral service and marks his appointment to serve the universal Church as the 10th Filipino cardinal, a great source of joy for the Philippine Church,&quot; the diocese said.</p><p>The faithful in the diocese held a vigil at the San Roque Cathedral in Caloocan, offering prayers for their bishop.</p><p>&quot;Cardinal David&#x27;s elevation is a testament to the vibrant faith of the local Church and its growing role within the Universal Church. This is a moment of celebration, not only for the Diocese of Kalookan but for the entire nation,&quot; the diocese added.</p><p>Traditionally called &quot;princes of the Church,&quot; David has joined the ranks of other Filipino cardinals in history: Jose Cardinal Advincula (incumbent archbishop of Manila); Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle (pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and former archbishop of Manila); Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Jaime Cardinal Sin, and Rufino Cardinal Santos (former archbishops of Manila); Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Julio Cardinal Rosales (former archbishops of Cebu); Orlando Cardinal Quevedo (former archbishop of Cotabato); and Jose Cardinal Sanchez (former prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy).</p><p>Twenty of the men Francis chose to become new cardinals are under the age of 80 and are therefore eligible to vote for a possible conclave that would elect his successor.</p><p>The pontiff&#x27;s selection of cardinals further widened the College&#x27;s geographical diversity and increased the chances that the next pope would continue Francis&#x27;s vision for the Catholic Church. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h53Jm_Zbpzo?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>ope Francis has officially elevated Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David as a cardinal, becoming the 10th Filipino to hold the title. </p>

ope Francis has officially elevated Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David as a cardinal, becoming the 10th Filipino to hold the title.