Tagle takes possession of titular diocese of Albano

MANILA, Philippines — Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle formally took possession of his titular diocese in a ceremony at the Albano Cathedral in Italy, marking a significant step in his role as a cardinal bishop.

Tagle was assigned the suburbicarian diocese of Albano, one of the seven historic dioceses surrounding Rome.

The highest-ranking cardinals are traditionally assigned a title to one of these dioceses. While the cardinal bishop holds the title, the diocese maintains its own administrative head.

The Pontificio Collegio Filippino (PCF) said the ceremony was presided over by diocesan bishop Vincenzo Viva and attended by local clergy and lay faithful.

Tagle was accompanied by a large group of Filipinos, including members of his family, residents of the PCF and members of the Filipino community in Italy.

Two other cardinals, three bishops and about 100 priests concelebrated the mass.

The event carried double significance due to a recent Filipino ecclesiastical anniversary and a notable date in the Church calendar.

On Oct. 7, the PCF celebrated the 64th anniversary of its inauguration.

The PCF, a key institution for Filipino diocesan priests studying in Rome, was blessed and inaugurated by Pope St. John XXIII in 1961, whose feast day also falls on Oct. 11.