Carddinal-designate Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Photo courtesy of ROY LAGARDE via CBCP

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David’s quiet Sunday morning in Rome took an unexpected turn when Pope Francis announced his new role as a cardinal. Sharing his experience on social media, Bishop David recounted the day with humor and reflection, offering a glimpse into a life-changing moment that began, as he put it, “from a whirlwind to a soft breeze.”

It started as an ordinary day at the Collegio Filippino, where Bishop David was enjoying some rare downtime after a grueling Synod schedule. For the first time in days, he had managed to get a full eight hours of sleep and indulged in what he lovingly called his late “Coffee with Jesus.” But his peace was soon interrupted by a persistent international call, which he ignored, not wanting to rack up charges on his Philippine SIM card.

Unbeknownst to him, it wasn’t just any call—it was likely from the Vatican itself, trying to reach him about an announcement that would change his life forever.

Shortly after, a congratulatory message from the Collegio’s procurator popped up on WhatsApp. Confused, he replied, “For what?” The response came: “Na-announce po na Cardinal kayo (It was announced that you are now a Cardinal).” Bishop David, thinking it was a joke, texted back, “Joke?!” But when the procurator called to assure him it was no prank, and even sent a video clip of Pope Francis announcing the news after the noon Angelus, it all started to sink in.

Suddenly, messages of congratulations began flooding his phone. “It felt like being caught in a whirlwind,” he shared. To calm himself, he took a five-minute breathing exercise, bringing to mind the biblical image of Elijah standing by the mouth of a cave, feeling a soft breeze that penetrated his soul.

At that moment, everything changed. “Ok, Lord. My life is in your hands,” he prayed, embracing the unexpected chapter that lay ahead as a cardinal, a shepherd, and a humble servant of God’s people.

In his post, Bishop David’s emotions resonated deeply with his followers, many of whom admire his grounded nature and unwavering faith. His heartfelt reflection showed that even monumental moments like becoming a cardinal can be met with a smile, a prayer, and a peaceful acceptance of God’s will—one soft breeze at a time.