Cardinal David reflects on conclave experience | ABS-CBN
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Cardinal David reflects on conclave experience
Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David leads a requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis at the San Roque Cathedral on April 22, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David leads a requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis at the San Roque Cathedral on April 22, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David on Wednesday shared his experience as a cardinal-elector at the recently concluded concluded conclave.
MANILA — Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David on Wednesday shared his experience as a cardinal-elector at the recently concluded concluded conclave.
In a Facebook post, David reflected on his experience of attending the pre-conclave congregation of the College of Cardinals.
In a Facebook post, David reflected on his experience of attending the pre-conclave congregation of the College of Cardinals.
According to David, he only started attending from its fifth session on April 28, two days after he arrived at the Vatican on April 26.
According to David, he only started attending from its fifth session on April 28, two days after he arrived at the Vatican on April 26.
After the pre-Conclave sessions that spanned 14 days, the College of Cardinals gathered at the Sistine Chapel to formally start the conclave, where they will elect the new Pope.
After the pre-Conclave sessions that spanned 14 days, the College of Cardinals gathered at the Sistine Chapel to formally start the conclave, where they will elect the new Pope.
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While listening to the speeches of the cardinals, David said he realized the immensity of the responsibilities of the Pope, which is also why he understood the reaction of then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost when the votes for him surpassed the two-thirds threshold.
While listening to the speeches of the cardinals, David said he realized the immensity of the responsibilities of the Pope, which is also why he understood the reaction of then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost when the votes for him surpassed the two-thirds threshold.
“I witnessed that same pained expression firsthand. Prevost remained seated even as the rest of us stood in ovation when he surpassed the two-thirds threshold, our applause resounding for nearly five minutes until the Dean requested we sit down again to complete the count. All eyes were upon him as each remaining ballot was read aloud: “Prevost, Prevost, Prevost, Prevost…” Upon conclusion, we stood once more, repeating our ovation. His eyebrows furrowed as his deep-set eyes surveyed the room,” David said.
“I witnessed that same pained expression firsthand. Prevost remained seated even as the rest of us stood in ovation when he surpassed the two-thirds threshold, our applause resounding for nearly five minutes until the Dean requested we sit down again to complete the count. All eyes were upon him as each remaining ballot was read aloud: “Prevost, Prevost, Prevost, Prevost…” Upon conclusion, we stood once more, repeating our ovation. His eyebrows furrowed as his deep-set eyes surveyed the room,” David said.
He also observed that there seemed to be a "collective plea" from the College of Cardinals for Prevost to accept the election, which he could have rejected if he wanted to.
He also observed that there seemed to be a "collective plea" from the College of Cardinals for Prevost to accept the election, which he could have rejected if he wanted to.
“As the Dean approached to inquire whether he accepted the mandate, I could almost hear the collective plea of the College of Cardinals—'Please don’t say no…' I wondered if, in past conclaves, anyone had ever declined the papacy. Only the sacred walls of the Sistine Chapel would know, as electors are bound under pain of excommunication to maintain secrecy. A simple 'Non accepto!' would have sufficed, and the ballots would have been incinerated, producing black smoke instead of white from the chimney, signaling to the world that no pope had yet been elected. No big deal; we just start all over again if that ever happened,” David said.
“As the Dean approached to inquire whether he accepted the mandate, I could almost hear the collective plea of the College of Cardinals—'Please don’t say no…' I wondered if, in past conclaves, anyone had ever declined the papacy. Only the sacred walls of the Sistine Chapel would know, as electors are bound under pain of excommunication to maintain secrecy. A simple 'Non accepto!' would have sufficed, and the ballots would have been incinerated, producing black smoke instead of white from the chimney, signaling to the world that no pope had yet been elected. No big deal; we just start all over again if that ever happened,” David said.
According to David, the experience made him understand the words of reassurance several cardinals offered during the pre-Conclave sessions, where they assured whoever will be chosen as the new Pope of their allegiance and fidelity.
According to David, the experience made him understand the words of reassurance several cardinals offered during the pre-Conclave sessions, where they assured whoever will be chosen as the new Pope of their allegiance and fidelity.
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“Now I understand why, throughout our pre-Conclave sessions, several cardinals offered words of reassurance in their interventions, echoing Jesus’ 'Be not afraid.' Messages like, 'We believe the Holy Spirit has already chosen the next pope. He is here among us, but we have yet to identify him. Dear brother, whoever you are, should the lot fall upon you when we cast our votes, please accept it. We assure you of our allegiance and fidelity.' I do not know why these words moved me profoundly, even to tears,” he said.
“Now I understand why, throughout our pre-Conclave sessions, several cardinals offered words of reassurance in their interventions, echoing Jesus’ 'Be not afraid.' Messages like, 'We believe the Holy Spirit has already chosen the next pope. He is here among us, but we have yet to identify him. Dear brother, whoever you are, should the lot fall upon you when we cast our votes, please accept it. We assure you of our allegiance and fidelity.' I do not know why these words moved me profoundly, even to tears,” he said.
David likewise shared the collective joy everyone felt when Prevost accepted the election.
David likewise shared the collective joy everyone felt when Prevost accepted the election.
“Fast forward to the present—the Lord’s anointed has been revealed. Surely, he would look back and recall those comforting words from his brethren which had been said even before he was elected. What a joy it was to hear him say, 'Accepto.' In that instant, serenity seemed to envelop him, transforming his furrowed brow into a gentle smile as he bowed his head amidst our applause. Soon, the ballots were consigned to the fiery furnace, and white smoke billowed from the chimney, eliciting jubilant cries from the crowd outside,” he shared.
“Fast forward to the present—the Lord’s anointed has been revealed. Surely, he would look back and recall those comforting words from his brethren which had been said even before he was elected. What a joy it was to hear him say, 'Accepto.' In that instant, serenity seemed to envelop him, transforming his furrowed brow into a gentle smile as he bowed his head amidst our applause. Soon, the ballots were consigned to the fiery furnace, and white smoke billowed from the chimney, eliciting jubilant cries from the crowd outside,” he shared.
“When I looked again, Prevost had already vanished, led by the ceremoniere to the Room of Tears to be vested in white. Another thunderous applause erupted when he came out of that room now garbed in white and was presented to us. We lined up, eagerly taking turns to offer him the greeting of peace. I glanced at the papal chair behind him. Non era più vacante. It was no longer vacant. It had a new occupant—Peter’s successor, Pope Leo XIV,” David added.
“When I looked again, Prevost had already vanished, led by the ceremoniere to the Room of Tears to be vested in white. Another thunderous applause erupted when he came out of that room now garbed in white and was presented to us. We lined up, eagerly taking turns to offer him the greeting of peace. I glanced at the papal chair behind him. Non era più vacante. It was no longer vacant. It had a new occupant—Peter’s successor, Pope Leo XIV,” David added.
Prevost, who picked the papal name Leo XIV, was elected on May 8, after almost two days of voting.
Prevost, who picked the papal name Leo XIV, was elected on May 8, after almost two days of voting.
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