Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle recovers from COVID-19

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has recovered from the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website confirmed the report on Wednesday, September 23.

The Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and President of Caritas Internationalis's recovery came almost two weeks after he contracted the disease.

Though asymptomatic, Tagle underwent strict isolation since testing positive for the respiratory illness.

Fr. Gregory Gaston said that the recovery of Cardinal Tagle is a “great joy for the whole church.”

“God wants him to continue serving in the Vatican's office for the Missions, to bring God's Good News of love, joy, peace, justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation--all of which the world needs in a special way these days.

“The Collegio Filippino in Rome has witnessed his hard work, dedication, and prayers. We wish him all the best in his short visit to the Philippines, to rest a bit, and be with his family back home.”

Before his flight to the Philippines, Cardinal Tagle took a COVID-19 test on September 7 and turned out to be negative.

Three days later, he tested positive for the virus upon his arrival in Manila. He was the first Roman curia dicastery head to have contracted COVID-19.