Four Filipino cardinals to attend Pope Leo XIV's first consistory in Rome

Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David will be attending Pope Leo XIV’s first extraordinary consistory or meeting of cardinals in Rome from January 7 to 8.

“Off for the extraordinary consistory of the College of Cardinals. Please include us in your prayers,” David said in his social media post.

The CBCP News reported that Cardinal Jose Advincula, archbishop of Manila and Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, archbishop emeritus of Cotabato, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, are also attending the consistory.

In a press release, the Vatican said the consistory will “include moments of communion and fraternity, as well as times dedicated to reflection, sharing and prayer.” 

“These moments will be oriented towards fostering common discernment and offering support and advice to the Holy Father in the exercise of his high and demanding responsibility in the governance of the universal Church,” the Vatican added.

The consistory aims to strengthen the communion between the Bishop of Rome and the Cardinals.

CBCP News also reported that  Advincula will miss the celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno in Manila. But he presided over the fifth novena Mass in honor of Jesus Nazareno on Sunday, Jan. 4, at Quiapo Church.

“He will miss us on January 9 but he said he will be monitoring our celebration,” said Quiapo Church rector Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan was quoted as saying.

Traditionally, the Manila archbishop presides over the midnight Mass or Misa Mayor at the Quirino Grandstand on the day of the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno.

For this year, the Misa Mayor will be presided over by Balanga Bishop Rufino Sescon, Licuanan's predecessor.

The upcoming consistory will be the first gathering of the Pope and the College of Cardinals following his election last May 9, 2025. — BAP, GMA Integrated News