Filipino cardinals recount interactions with Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal David and Cardinal Tagle invited the new Pope to visit the Philippines.

Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus Luis Antonio Tagle (right) meets with Pope Leo XIV (left) before and after his papacy. 
PHOTO/S: Courtesy of CBCP News on Facebook

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Archbishop Jose Advincula, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, and Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus Luis Antonio Tagle reflected on their personal interactions and experiences with Pope Leo XIV before his papacy.

Read: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected new pope

The three cardinals spoke about it at a press conference on Friday, May 9, 2025, held at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome.

Talking about being seated beside Cardinal Prevost during the conclave, Cardinal Tagle explained: “The latest pictures of us sitting next to each other, that’s… because especially during formal meetings, especially during the preparation for the conclave, there is a seating arrangement.

“We are not the ones who choose the seats because there are Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priests, Cardinal Deacons. We both happen to be Cardinal Bishops.

“Before he arrived, before he was appointed Cardinal Bishop, I was the most junior of the Cardinal Bishops. Well, since he was appointed, he is now the junior.”

“That’s why we’re next to each other. So if you see us next to each other and whispering, what we’re probably talking about is, ‘Have you had your coffee? You look sleepy?’

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“It’s not always serious.”

CARDINAL TAGLE’S MOMENTS WITH POPE XIV

Cardinal Tagle recounted how it was Cardinal Prevost’s first conclave, during which Prevost sought his guidance on the proceedings.

Elaborating: “It was really fun at the conclave, he asked me a lot of questions. ‘How was it? You’ve experienced a conclave, how was it?’”

Cardinal Tagle jokingly remarked that now, as Pope Leo XIV, Prevost has the opportunity to implement any changes he wishes for future conclaves.

“He has a humorous side. He has a sense of humor. When he laughs, his voice is powerful. So very human, very, very human, very humble, but very discerning.”

Cardinal Tagle also recalled that he was close by when the new Pope was about to be elected.

He noted how Prevost grew aware of the immense responsibilities he would take on as the new Pope.

“Cardinal Prevost was next to me. So when he got closer, I could hear his breathing seeming to get deeper.

“I said, ‘This, it’s okay to take a deep breath.’ And when he was about to hand over the number, it was exactly the same…

“The same joy na ano [naramdaman]. We just have to pray for him.”

Witnessing his nervousness, Cardinal Tagle offered Cardinal Prevost a candy—a gesture he had similarly made in a previous conclave.

Reflecting on his gesture for Cardinal Prevost just before his ascension to the papacy, Tagle shared, “When he was already out of breath, I said, ‘Do you want candy?’ ‘Okay, give me one.’

“That was my first act of charity with the Pope. So there are moments like that.”

Sharing another amusing moment with Cardinal Prevost, Cardinal Tagle related that the latter gave him his first autograph after assuming the papacy.

Pointing at a prayer booklet, Cardinal happily recalled, “Each one of us has that. As in he asked me something, before he reached that number [of votes].

“I answered, I wrote it down, then I passed it on to him, that was my answer to his question.

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“What he did was he tore the page where I wrote. The prayer book, my guide, was missing a page.

“He did, he gave me his [prayer booklet], ‘Oh, there we go, let’s change.’

“Then when he became [the Pope], I said, ‘Oh, you owe me something, sign this.’

“He said, ‘This is my first signature as Pope Leo.’ I hid it, it’s mine.”

CARDINAL TAGLE AND CARDINAL ADVINCULA ON WORKING WITH POPE LEO XIV

Long before the conclave, Cardinal Tagle said he had interacted with Cardinal Leo numerous times.

They first met during Cardinal Leo’s visit in the Philippines.

Although Cardinal Tagle did not specify the year of their initial encounter, Pope Leo XIV visited the Philippines in 2004 and 2010.

Cardinal Tagle recalled, “Pope Leo, when he was the Superior General of the Augustinians, he also visited the Philippines several times to the Augustinian communities.

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“Actually, I first met him there during his visit to the Philippines as an Augustinian Superior. And he has fond memories of the Philippines.

“I hope we can give it the love and prayers it deserves.”

Then they collaborated for their work in the dicasteries in Rome for the past year or so.

Cardinal Tagle revealed: “We’ve been working together sa dicasteries. I should say he is a very level-headed person.

“He’s not the kind of person who just gives directions based on impulse or reaction. He’ll listen and if necessary, he’ll study something.”

“He won’t immediately say that there is such a decision, he will study it. But when he comes back, you will see it clearly.”

“And he helps with the discernment of the whole group.

“That’s what makes him fun. And he doesn’t make too much noise. Just like that, calm, determined.”

CARDINAL ADVINCULA ON MEETING CARDINAL PREVOST

Meanwhile, Cardinal Advincula also had the opportunity to work with then Cardinal Prevost.

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Elaborating, “My boss was Pope Leo XIV, in the Dicastery for Bishops. Because he was the prefect of the dicastery.

“Our main job is to evaluate and present to the Pope [then Pope Francis] possible candidates for episcopacy.

“But every two weeks, we have a meeting. Every two weeks, we decide who will be made bishops in an area under the dicastery for bishops.

“That means, these areas that are not under the Propagation of the Faith, are under Cardinal Chito [Tagle].”

Cardinal Advincula noted that most of his interactions with then Cardinal Prevost were conducted online.

Cardinal Advincula explained: “I don’t really get to spend time with Pope Leo XIV.

“In fact, when I first arrived in Rome, and the first time I saw him after that, I asked him, ‘What should I do with the assignments I did? Should I forward them?’

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“He said, our work is suspended for now.”

In addition to their work at the Dicastery for Bishops, Cardinal Advincula collaborated with then Cardinal Prevost during several synods or dialogues among the clergy.

He echoed Cardinal Tagle’s observations by highlighting Cardinal Prevost’s humility and clarity, especially regarding matters of canon law.

“I was also with him in that synod, synodality, so many times.

“We’re next to each other. And the synodality, that’s about three weeks or one month. For two weeks, we’ll be in a group.

“And as Cardinal Tagle said, he’s really… very humble, his countenance is happy, very calm.”

“And he is really very clear in his exposition about certain matters, especially on canon law, because he is a canon lawyer.”

PAPAL VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES

Cardinal David, for his part, revealed that he boldly invited the Pope to visit the Philippines once again, shortly after his proclamation.

He shared, “When he was proclaimed, he was going to be presented to us and he was already dressed in white, we lined up to greet him one by one, that was very touching.

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“Then when I approached him, I said, ‘Holy Father,’ and by the way, he speaks American English.

“So sabi ko, ‘Holy Father, I wish you could visit us in the Philippines.’”

The invitation was especially meaningful for Cardinal David, because the Pope had previously visited the Philippines multiple times to engage with Augustinian communities.

Notably, Cardinal David’s hometown, Pampanga, is renowned for its strong Augustinian presence.

“Ang sabi ko, ‘You know, I come from Pampanga, and the province of Pampanga was evangelized by Augustinians, your brothers.’

“The first missionaries in the Philippines were Augustinians, of course, along with the Jesuits and Dominicans and the other congregations.

“But our entire area in Central Luzon, that’s Augustinian. I said, ‘Come [to the Philippines].’

“Because he became superior general of the Augustinians. And take note, from a Jesuit Pope, now to an Augustinian Pope.”

“So he just smiled, he said, ‘If God allows that.’ I said, I was brave enough to invite this one, Papa. He’s a state visitor when he comes to us, right?”

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Just like Cardinal David, Cardinal Tagle also asked Pope Leo XIV to visit the Philippines.

Citing how Pope Francis eagerly went to the Philippines in the past, he’s optimistic that Pope Leo XIV will visit the country as Pope, too.

If such a visit occurs, Cardinal Tagle expresses hope that Filipinos will warmly welcome the Pope, just as they did for Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis during their visits to the country.

Cardinal Tagle said, “When discussing the visits of Popes to various countries, it seems like the Philippines is always the standard.

“It seems like we can’t explain the Filipinos’ overflowing love for the Holy Pope.

“We saw what happened to Pope John Paul II. And during World Youth Day, which set the largest gathering, 5 million people at the closing mass.

“For a long time, that was the Guinness record. But it was surpassed during Pope Francis’ visit, becoming 6 million.”

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“So in the Guinness Book of World Records, the first and the second are both from the Philippines.

“But this is not just a question of how to gather or attract people.

“Because [they] didn’t sleep for long, they were exposed to the sun. There was no reward given. But you can see it clearly because of love and faith.”

“I hope that’s what we show Pope Leo too.”