MANILA, Philippines — In a significant announcement during his weekly Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis revealed that Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of the Diocese of Caloocan will be elevated to the rank of cardinal. The official consistory ceremony is set for December 8, 2024.

Popularly known as “Ambo,” Bishop David, who also serves as the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), will become the tenth Filipino to hold the title of cardinal. His appointment is part of a larger announcement that includes 21 new cardinals who will be invested during the upcoming consistory.

As a cardinal, David will join the ranks of the Pope’s closest advisors, a role that carries both influence and responsibility within the Catholic Church. While Pope Francis has urged cardinals to lead humble lives and maintain close ties with marginalized communities, they are historically referred to as the “princes of the Church,” reflecting their significant authority in the ecclesiastical hierarchy.

Prior to David’s elevation to the cardinalate, there were two active Filipino cardinals: Luis Antonio Tagle, the current Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, and Jose Advincula, the current Archbishop of Manila.

Bishop David is known for his staunch defense of human rights and has been an outspoken critic of the previous administration’s controversial “war on drugs” and “red-tagging” campaigns. His diocese, which includes the neighboring cities of Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela, was a hotspot for extrajudicial killings during the Duterte drug war. Elected CBCP president in 2021 and re-elected in 2023, David’s advocacy work has positioned him as a key voice on various social justice issues in the Philippines.

As the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis expressed confidence that the new cardinals, including David, will support him in his mission to guide the Church during these challenging times. The elevation of Bishop David to the cardinalate underscores both his leadership within the Church and his commitment to addressing pressing social issues.

“Ok, Lord. My life is in your hands.” – Cardinal David

In a whirlwind of emotions, the Bishop of Caloocan shared his thoughts in a Facebook post after being named Cardinal by Pope Francis. The news came as a surprise for David, who was informed by the procurator of the Collegio Filippino via WhatsApp.

Initially puzzled by the congratulatory message he received, the newly appointed cardinal responded with confusion after the procurator clarified the Pontiff’s announcement. However, a phone call from the procurator confirmed that the news was genuine, as the Pope himself had announced it during the noon Angelus. Accompanying the call was a video clip from the Vatican news feed, which confirmed the information.

“I began to receive a deluge of messages,” David recounted, describing the well-wishes that followed.

“It felt like being caught in a whirlwind,” David added.

“Now it felt like Elijah standing by the mouth of a cave and feeling a soft breeze that penetrated my soul and prepared me for this new chapter of my life and ministry as a bishop, as a servant of God’s people. I said, ‘Ok, Lord. My life is in your hands,’” the newly appointed Cardinal stressed.

Now, as Cardinal, Bishop David of Caloocan highlights his commitment to social justice and human rights, particularly as he takes on this elevated role within the Church.

As he prepares for the responsibilities ahead, Cardinal David remains dedicated to his mission of serving the marginalized and advocating for the vulnerable in society.

📷 Pablo Virgilio David FB