Cardinal David shares rare glimpse into the election of Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal David takes his Conclave oath in the Sistine Chapel on May 7. Photo by Vatican Media

VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Pablo Virgilio Siongco David, the Filipino prelate recently elevated to the College of Cardinals, has offered a rare glimpse into the secretive papal conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, sharing his personal experience in a column article. 

Cardinal David, who serves as bishop of Kalookan and has led the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines since 2021, was named a cardinal by Pope Francis in December 2024.

Known for his advocacy on human rights and social justice, Cardinal David – affectionately called “Cardinal Ambo” – was considered by many as a “dark horse” candidate for the papacy.

In his column, “When the Church beats with one heart: My Conclave experience,” Cardinal David recounts joining the pre-conclave general congregation during its fifth session, just days after the death of Pope Francis.

FILE PHOTO (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

He describes the swift assumption of duties by Cardinal Gianbattista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, and Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the camerlengo, in accordance with Vatican protocols.

Cardinal David writes that, according to the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, cardinals are morally obligated to travel to Rome and participate in the conclave without waiting for a formal summons.

“Even the emeriti – in their 80s and 90s – dutifully came to participate in the age-old Catholic tradition of making sure the jaws of death do not prevail over the See of Peter,” he notes.

He paints a vivid picture of the security and tradition surrounding the event, including the recognition of cardinals by Vatican security and Swiss Guards, and the distribution of attaché cases containing identification and dossiers on each cardinal.

“We trusted Vatican security to recognize us by face, even though we had not yet received identification badges,” he recalls, sharing a lighthearted anecdote about Cardinal Joe Advincula being recognized despite forgetting his ID and zucchetto.

Cardinal David also demystifies the process, noting that much of the conclave’s procedure is publicly available in Vatican documents.

“Sometimes I wonder why people describe the conclave as a very secretive event. The whole process is described in great detail… No secrets,” he writes, while emphasizing the importance of confidentiality regarding specific discussions and votes.

Reflecting on the gravity of electing a new pope, David says, “You’ve got to be crazy to aspire to become pope after hearing all these,” referencing the immense responsibilities discussed in the general congregations.

He describes the emotional moment when Cardinal Robert Prevost surpassed the two-thirds threshold to become Pope Leo XIV and the collective relief and joy that followed his acceptance.

David’s account is both reverent and candid, offering insights into the spiritual and human dimensions of the conclave.

His firsthand narrative provides a unique window into the spiritual depth and solemnity of the process, underscoring the profound sense of unity and prayerful discernment that guides the election of a pope – a process that ultimately shapes the future direction of the global Catholic Church.

Read Cardinal David’s column here.