Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David has extended heartfelt thanks to the Filipino faithful who prayed for him as he was officially elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Francis.
In a video message shared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Sunday, Cardinal David acknowledged the prayer support he felt during the consistory ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
“Gusto ko lang magpasalamat lalong lalo na sa lahat ng mga kapatid sa Diocese of Caloocan na nag-organize ng isang… bilang panalangin sa paghahanda ko dito sa Roma para sa konsistoryo,” he said.
He also thanked friends, acquaintances, and Filipinos nationwide who joined in prayer for his journey.
A New Role for the 10th Filipino Cardinal
At the ceremony, Cardinal David received the traditional symbols of his new role:
- A cardinal ring
- A red biretta
- A tube with documents proclaiming his status as cardinal
He will also be assigned a titular church in Rome, marking his connection to the global Church.
Looking Forward to Coming Home
The newly elevated cardinal shared his excitement about returning to the Philippines:
“I’m looking forward sa aking pag-uwi nitong darating na Miyerkules. Thank you and see you all soon,” he said.
A Life of Service
Cardinal David is now the 10th Filipino to hold the title, joining the ranks of Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Vatican’s pro-prefect for Evangelization.
Ordained in 1983, David has served in various roles, including auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando and bishop of Kalookan, where he has been a spiritual leader since 2015. He also serves as the CBCP president, a position he has held since 2021.
Congratulations to Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David for this momentous achievement!