Cardinal Jose F. Advincula was formally installed as the 33rd Archbishop of Manila in a scaled-down ceremony held at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Intramuros on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Advincula offered prayers to former president Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, who passed away on Thursday at the end of the installation Mass at the Manila Cathedral.
“We have been informed of the sad news of the passing away of our former president of the Republic of the Philippines, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. Let us entrust him to the mercy of Our Loving Father and let us now pray for the eternal repose of his soul,” he said. “Eternal rest grant unto him o Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen.”
The 69-year-old Advincula succeeded Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who left the seat in February 2020 to serve in the Vatican as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
The ceremony was held under strict protocols to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Only a select number of guests, including bishops, priests and government officials, were allowed inside the cathedral.
Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Advincula Archbishop of Manila on March 25. He was also among the 13 cardinals from eight countries appointed by Pope Francis last October 2020.
He was appointed as the country’s ninth cardinal by the Pope last October and was formally elevated the month after. In December, he was named a member of the Congregation for the Clergy.
Ordained priest in 1976, Advincula became bishop of San Carlos in 2001 and archbishop of Capiz in 2011.