Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), received the highest French order of merit, the National Order of the Legion of Honour, from the Ambassador of France to the Holy See.
Her Excellency Florence Mangin, Ambassador of France to the Holy See, bestowed the award upon His Eminence Cardinal Tagle on February 15, 2024.
“Mr. Cardinal, it is an honour for me to present you with this decoration, by which France wishes to honour your remarkable career as a man of the Church at the service of the common good.” the French ambassador said.
Present to witness this were Filipino priests from various religious orders now based in Rome: Fr. Gerardo Francisco Timoner, OP, Master of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans); Fr. Ted Kalaw, General of the Adorno Fathers; and Br. Armin Luistro, General of the De La Salle Brothers.
Also present were Msgr. Jan Limchua, Papal Chaplain; Fr. Bonifacio Lopez, Chaplain of Sports of the Diocese of Rome; Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino; and Fr. Andrew Recepcion, Spiritual Director of the Pontificio Collegio FIlippino. For the Philippine government, Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Maila Macahilig and Philippine Ambassador to Italy Nathaniel Imperial were also present.
Congratulations, Cardinal Tagle!
Photo credit: Fr. Danny Huang SJ