Palace hails Tagle’s elevation to cardinal

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang expressed elation Friday over Pope Benedict XVI’s elevation of Manila Archbishop Luis Tagle to the College of Cardinals.

“We are overjoyed at that fact that the good Pope Benedict has decided to appoint Bishop Chito Tagle as the next Filipino cardinal. We are fully aware of the intellectual capacity of Bishop Chito Tagle and as an intellectual heavyweight from among the Church hierarchy,’’ Secretary Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesperson, said in a phone-patch interview with reporters.

“We are also aware that he’s a shepherd; that he has tended to his flock with utmost concern, with utmost love; and a man called to serve his people. And therefore we are very pleased, and we are very thankful to the Pope for appointing Bishop Chito Tagle as the next Filipino cardinal,’’ he added.

The Pope has announced that the 55-year-old Tagle would be elevated to cardinal at the consistory on Nov. 24 in the Vatican.