Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David kneels before Pope Francis as he is officially inducted to the Sacred College of Cardinals. 📷 Screenshot from Vatican News livestream

MANILA - Pope Francis has officially elevated Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David as a cardinal, becoming the 10th Filipino to hold the title.

In a public consistory held at the St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday, the pontiff created 21 cardinals, including David.

Many are known figures with the same pastoral style and theological convictions as Francis and are expected to continue his reform agenda.

David, also the incumbent president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), received the red biretta and the cardinalatial ring from the pope.

Red is the assigned color for cardinals and symbolizes their willingness to be a martyr for the Catholic faith.

A champion of human rights and care for the poor, the 65-year-old bishop did not shy away from threats and attacks when he criticized former president Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on illegal drugs.

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His diocese in the northern district of Philippines' capital region saw many young victims of the previous administration's crackdown against illegal drug peddlers and users.

He has since introduced several programs in the diocese for community-based drug rehabilitation programs.

In a statement, the Diocese of Kalookan expressed its joy for David's induction to the Sacred College of Cardinals.

"This milestone highlights Bishop Ambo's dedicated pastoral service and marks his appointment to serve the universal Church as the 10th Filipino cardinal, a great source of joy for the Philippine Church," the diocese said.

The faithful in the diocese held a vigil at the San Roque Cathedral in Caloocan, offering prayers for their bishop.

"Cardinal David's elevation is a testament to the vibrant faith of the local Church and its growing role within the Universal Church. This is a moment of celebration, not only for the Diocese of Kalookan but for the entire nation," the diocese added.

Traditionally called "princes of the Church," David has joined the ranks of other Filipino cardinals in history: Jose Cardinal Advincula (incumbent archbishop of Manila); Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle (pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and former archbishop of Manila); Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Jaime Cardinal Sin, and Rufino Cardinal Santos (former archbishops of Manila); Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Julio Cardinal Rosales (former archbishops of Cebu); Orlando Cardinal Quevedo (former archbishop of Cotabato); and Jose Cardinal Sanchez (former prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy).

Twenty of the men Francis chose to become new cardinals are under the age of 80 and are therefore eligible to vote for a possible conclave that would elect his successor.

The pontiff's selection of cardinals further widened the College's geographical diversity and increased the chances that the next pope would continue Francis's vision for the Catholic Church. 

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