MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis named Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David on Sunday, October 6, as a new cardinal of the Catholic Church.
The Pope announced David’s new appointment during his weekly Sunday Angelus on Sunday. Francis read the list of new cardinals from a window of the papal apartments, with a crowd watching at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
This means David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), is now one of the closest advisers of the Pope, and one of those tasked to elect his successor.
A consistory on December 8 will formalize David’s new title as cardinal, traditionally called a “prince” of the Catholic Church, although Francis has discouraged the use of this description.
He is now one of three active cardinals in the Philippine Catholic Church, the two others being Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Cardinal Jose Advincula.
More to follow. — Rappler.com
