By SIDTP SoCom

Published on December 10, 2024

VATICAN CITY — Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David was formally elevated to the College of Cardinals during a solemn consistory on Saturday, December 7, at St. Peter’s Basilica.

David, who also serves as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), is the 10th Filipino to achieve this prestigious rank in the Catholic Church.

In a traditional ceremony led by Pope Francis, David received the red biretta, cassock, mozzetta, and a cardinal’s ring, symbols of his new role as a prince of the Church.

The scarlet attire worn by cardinals represents the blood of Christ and the courage of martyrs, a theme David highlighted in a 2020 homily he reposted on Facebook ahead of the event.

As part of his new responsibilities, the 65-year-old prelate was assigned to the deaconry of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ as his titular church in Rome.

Alongside 20 other appointees, he pledged his fidelity and obedience to the Pope during the ceremony.

David’s elevation adds to the growing Filipino representation in the global Church, with two other Filipino cardinals currently eligible to participate in a future papal conclave: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization, and Manila Archbishop Jose Advincula.

A native of Guagua, Pampanga, David was ordained in 1983 and served as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando before becoming bishop of Kalookan in 2015.

A respected biblical scholar and pastoral leader, he was elected CBCP president in 2021 and reelected in 2023.

David’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Church, as he recently participated in the Synod on Synodality, a gathering where delegates tackled key issues such as inclusivity, reform, and unity within the Catholic community.

The College of Cardinals now totals 256 members, with 141 eligible to vote in a conclave.

David’s elevation underscores Pope Francis’ commitment to recognizing leaders from diverse parts of the world, ensuring representation that reflects the Church’s universal nature.