Pope Francis appoints Pabillo as Manila’s apostolic administrator

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis has appointed Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo as the apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, after Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle left the country on Sunday evening to assume his new post as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples at the Vatican.

In Tagle’s message last Sunday posted on the Archdiocese of Manila website, he said, “Tonight, I say goodbye. Work starts for me this week at the Congregation. It was an honor and blessing to have known you. I will always treasure my time with you. You can count on my prayers.”

Last Dec. 8 at the Vatican, Pope Francis designated the 62-year-old Tagle as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, responsible for the Church’s missionary work. His position is also referred to as the “Red Pope.”

On Sunday morning, Tagle, the 32nd Archbishop of Manila – a position he held for eight years – celebrated his last mass at the Manila Cathedral as head of the Archdiocese. 

Manila Cathedral Rector Fr. Reginald Malicdem, who is also the personal secretary of the cardinal, unveiled the cardinal’s coat of arms set on marble at the central nave. 

In his message to the cardinal, Malicdem said, “This signifies that you will be remembered in all the prayers and masses offered in this cathedral. This is also a sign that you continue to be a clergy of the Archdiocese of Manila. You still belong to us. And this is an assurance that you always have a home in this cathedral.”