List of Filipino cardinals

Contents

The Philippines has produced ten cardinals.

The population of Catholics in the Philippines constitutes the country's largest religious denomination, as well as one of the largest Catholic populations among countries of the world. The Catholic faith was introduced to the Philippines by Spanish colonists in the sixteenth century. Some 400 years later, in 1960, Rufino J. Santos, the Archbishop of Manila, became the first Filipino cardinal. Since then, a total of ten Filipinos have been raised to the rank of cardinal.

On May 1, 2020, Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization, was promoted to the rank of cardinal-bishop. He is the first Filipino to hold the highest rank of a cardinal in the Catholic Church.[1]

On October 6, 2024, Pope Francis named Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan, as the tenth Filipino Cardinal. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals in a consistory on December 8, 2024. He is the first Filipino cardinal who is not a metropolitan archbishop at the time of the announcement.

There are currently five living Filipino Cardinals, three of whom are electors: Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization; Jose Advincula, current Archbishop of Manila; and Pablo Virgilio David, current Bishop of Kalookan. They participated in the 2025 papal conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time in history that three Filipino cardinal-electors participated in a papal conclave.[2] There are two other living Cardinals over the age of 80: Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop-Emeritus of Manila; and Orlando Quevedo, Archbishop-Emeritus of Cotabato.

List of Filipino cardinals

No.CardinalEpiscopal see / DicasteryConsistory / Created CardinalTitular designationConclaves participatedCoat of arms
1Rufino Jiao SantosManilaMarch 31, 1960 by St. John XXIII[3]Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria ai Monti1963
2Julio Ras RosalesCebuApril 28, 1969 by St. Paul VI[4]Cardinal-Priest of Sacro Cuore di Gesù agonizzante a VitiniaAugust 1978 October 1978
3Jaime Lachica Sin[5]ManilaMay 24, 1976 by St. Paul VI[6]Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria ai Monti
4Ricardo Jamin Vidal[7]CebuMay 25, 1985 by St. John Paul II[8]Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Pietro e Paolo a Via Ostiense2005
5José Tomás Sánchez[9]Prefect of the Congregation for the ClergyCreated as Cardinal-Deacon on June 6, 1991 by St. John Paul II[10] Elevated as Cardinal-Priest on February 26, 2002 by St. John Paul IICardinal-Deacon of S. Pio V a Villa Carpegna (1991–2002) Cardinal-Priest of S. Pio V a Villa Carpegna (pro hac vice) (2002–2012)[11]
6Gaudencio Borbon Rosales[12]ManilaMarch 24, 2006 by Benedict XVI[13]Cardinal-Priest of Santissimo Nome di Maria in Via Latina
7Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle[14]Manila (2012–2020) Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (2019–2022) Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization (2022–present)November 24, 2012 by Benedict XVI[15] Elevated as Cardinal-Bishop on May 1, 2020 by FrancisCardinal-Priest of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle (2012–2020) Cardinal-Bishop of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle (pro hac vice)[16][17][18] (2020–2025) Cardinal-Bishop of Albano (since 2025)2013, 2025
8Orlando Beltran Quevedo[19]CotabatoFebruary 22, 2014 by Francis[20]Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria Regina Mundi a Torre Spaccata[11]
9.Jose Fuerte Advincula[21]Capiz (2020–2021) Manila (2021–present)November 28, 2020 by Francis[22]Cardinal-Priest of San Vigilio2025
10.Pablo Virgilio Siongco David[23]KalookanDecember 7, 2024 by Francis[24]Cardinal-Priest of Trasfigurazione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo

List by age

No.CardinalDate of BirthDate of DeathAge
1Gaudencio Borbon RosalesAugust 10, 1932 Batangas City94 years, 27 days
2José Tomás SánchezMarch 17, 1920 Pandan, CatanduanesMarch 9, 2012 Manila91 years, 359 days
3Orlando Beltran QuevedoMarch 11, 1939 Laoag City87 years, 179 days
4Ricardo Jamin VidalFebruary 6, 1931 Mogpog, MarinduqueOctober 18, 2017 Cebu86 years, 254 days
5Jaime Lachica SinAugust 31, 1928 New Washington, AklanJune 21, 2005 San Juan City76 years, 294 days
6Julio Rosales y RasSeptember 18, 1906 Calbayog, SamarJune 2, 1983 Cebu76 years, 257 days
7Jose Fuerte AdvinculaMarch 30, 1952 Dumalag, Capiz74 years, 160 days
8Luis Antonio Gokim TagleJune 21, 1957 Imus, Cavite69 years, 77 days
9Pablo Virgilio Siongco DavidMarch 2, 1959 Betis, Guagua, Pampanga67 years, 188 days
10Rufino Jiao SantosAugust 26, 1908 Guagua, PampangaSeptember 3, 1973 Manila65 years, 8 days

Timeline of living cardinals

FromToNumber of living cardinals
-TotalChange
March 28, 1960 (Rufino J. Santos elevated to cardinal)April 28, 1969 (Julio Rosales elevated to cardinal)1 cardinal (Cardinal Santos)11
April 28, 1969 (Julio Rosales elevated to Cardinal)September 3, 1973 (Death of Cardinal Santos)2 cardinals (Cardinal Santos & Cardinal J. Rosales)21
September 3, 1973 (Death of Cardinal Santos)May 24, 1976 (Jaime Sin elevated to Cardinal)1 cardinal (Cardinal J. Rosales)11
May 24, 1976 (Jaime Sin elevated to Cardinal)June 2, 1983 (Death of Cardinal J. Rosales)2 cardinals (Cardinal J. Rosales & Cardinal Sin)21
June 2, 1983 (Death of Cardinal J. Rosales)May 25, 1985 (Ricardo Vidal elevated to Cardinal)1 cardinal (Cardinal Sin)11
May 25, 1985 (Ricardo Vidal elevated to Cardinal)June 28, 1991 (Jose Sanchez elevated to Cardinal)2 cardinals (Cardinal Sin & Cardinal Vidal)21
June 28, 1991 (Jose Tomas Sanchez elevated to Cardinal)June 21, 2005 (Death of Cardinal Sin)3 cardinals (Cardinals Sin, Vidal & Sanchez)31
June 21, 2005 (Death of Cardinal Sin)March 24, 2006 (Gaudencio Rosales elevated to Cardinal)2 cardinals (Cardinals Vidal & Sanchez)21
March 24, 2006 (Gaudencio Rosales elevated to Cardinal)March 9, 2012 (Death of Cardinal Sanchez)3 cardinals (Cardinals Vidal, Sanchez & G. Rosales)31
March 9, 2012 (Death of Cardinal Sanchez)November 24, 2012 (Luis Antonio Tagle elevated to Cardinal)2 cardinals (Cardinals Vidal & G. Rosales)21
November 24, 2012 (Luis Antonio Tagle elevated to Cardinal)February 22, 2014 (Orlando Quevedo elevated to Cardinal)3 cardinals (Cardinals Vidal, G. Rosales & Tagle)31
February 22, 2014 (Orlando Quevedo elevated to Cardinal)October 18, 2017 (Death of Cardinal Vidal)4 cardinals (Cardinals Vidal, G. Rosales, Tagle & Quevedo)41
October 18, 2017 (Death of Cardinal Vidal)November 28, 2020 (Jose Advincula elevated to Cardinal)3 cardinals (Cardinals G. Rosales, Tagle & Quevedo)31
November 28, 2020 (Jose Advincula elevated to Cardinal)December 7, 2024 (Pablo Virgilio David elevated to Cardinal)4 cardinals (Cardinals G. Rosales, Tagle, Quevedo & Advincula)41
December 7, 2024 (Pablo Virgilio David elevated to Cardinal)Present5 cardinals (Cardinals G. Rosales, Tagle, Quevedo, Advincula, David)51

Participation of Filipino Cardinals per Conclave

As of May 2025, seven out of ten Filipino Cardinals have participated in a conclave to elect a Pope.

Filipino Cardinal Electors per Conclave since 1963
ConclavePrevious PopeElected PopeParticipating CardinalsNumber of CardinalsRef.
1963 conclaveJohn XXIIIPaul VIRufino Santos1[25]
August 1978 conclavePaul VIJohn Paul IJulio Rosales Jaime Sin2[26]
October 1978 conclaveJohn Paul IJohn Paul IIJulio Rosales Jaime Sin2[27]
2005 conclave[28]John Paul IIBenedict XVIRicardo Vidal[29]1[30]
2013 conclaveBenedict XVIFrancisLuis Antonio Tagle1[31]
2025 conclaveFrancisLeo XIVLuis Antonio Tagle Jose Advincula Pablo Virgilio David3[32]

Three Filipino Cardinals never participated in a conclave, as they were 80 years old before an eventual sede vacante.

References

  1. 1."Pope Francis promotes Cardinal Tagle to rank of Cardinal-Bishop". CNN Philippines. 1 May 2020. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  2. 2."2025 conclave to have most number of Filipino cardinal electors".
  3. 3."Negro, Japanese, Filipino named cardinals". The Bend Bulletin. March 3, 1960. Retrieved 18 October 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  4. 4."New cardinals". The Leader-Post. March 29, 1969. p. 3. Retrieved 18 October 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  5. 5."SIN Card. Jaime Lachica".
  6. 6."SIN Card. Jaime Lachica". Bollettino Sala Stampa della Santa Sede. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  7. 7."VIDAL Card. Ricardo J."
  8. 8."Card Vidal of Philippines dies at 86". Vatican News. 20 October 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  9. 9."SÁNCHEZ Card. José T."
  10. 10."SÁNCHEZ Card. José T." Bollettino Sala Stampa della Santa Sede. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  11. 11.[11.2]Did not participate in any conclave during his cardinalate
  12. 12."ROSALES Card. Gaudencio Borbon".
  13. 13."Rosales, Gaudencio Borbon*". Catholic News Agency. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  14. 14."TAGLE Card. Luis Antonio Gokim".
  15. 15."TAGLE Card. Luis Antonio Gokim". Bollettino Sala Stampa della Santa Sede. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  16. 16."Pope Francis gives Cardinal Tagle highest title for a cardinal in the Catholic Church". Catholic News in Asia | LiCAS.news | Licas News. 2020-05-01. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  17. 17."RESCRIPTUM EX AUDIENTIA SS.MI: Rescritto del Santo Padre Francesco con cui ha deciso di cooptare nell'Ordine dei Vescovi, equiparandolo in tutto ai Cardinali insigniti del titolo di una Chiesa suburbicaria, l'Em.mo Cardinale Luis Antonio G. Tagle, 01.05.2020" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  18. 18.Esmaquel, Paterno II (May 1, 2020). "Pope promotes Tagle as one of 11 highest ranking cardinals". Rappler. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  19. 19."QUEVEDO Card. Orlando Beltran, O.M.I."
  20. 20."Cotabato Archbishop is first Filipino cardinal named by Pope Francis". GMA News Online. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  21. 21."ADVINCULA Card. Jose Fuerte".
  22. 22."ADVINCULA Card. Jose Fuerte". Bollettino Sala Stampa della Santa Sede. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  23. 23."DAVID Card. Pablo Virgilio Siongco".
  24. 24.Tenedero, Erik (October 6, 2024). "Pope Francis picks PH's Bishop Pablo David as new cardinal". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  25. 25."Conclave - 1963 [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  26. 26."Conclave - August 1978 [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  27. 27."Conclave - October 1978 [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  28. 28.Jaime Sin was eligible to be a cardinal-elector in the 2005 conclave, but did not participate due to health reasons. He died on June 21, 2005, two months after the conclave.
  29. 29.Vidal turned 80 on February 6, 2011, making him ineligible to participate in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis.
  30. 30.[30.2]"Conclave - 2005 [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  31. 31."Conclave - 2013 [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  32. 32."Conclave - 2025 [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  33. 33.[33.2]News, JISELLE ANNE C. CASUCIAN, GMA Integrated (2025-04-26). "Who are the 5 Filipino cardinals?". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2026-03-18.