Kalookan bishop and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” Cardinal David urged Catholics to keep the upcoming papal election free from politics, warning that campaigning or endorsing candidates could affect the sacredness of the conclave.

In a Facebook post on Friday, April 25, Cardinal David reminded the faithful that the selection of the next pope is “not a political contest but a spiritual discernment.”

“While it is natural to have hopes or preferences for certain personalities, we are ultimately invited to trust in the work of the Holy Spirit and the solemn responsibility entrusted to the College of Cardinals,” he said.

He cautioned against creating or sharing campaign videos for potential papal candidates, saying such actions “risk turning a sacred discernment into a worldly spectacle.”

“It may inadvertently pressure or politicize the conscience of the electors, and distract from the silence and prayer needed to truly hear the voice of the Spirit,” Cardinal David stated.

Also, he reminded the faithful that movies and TV series about the conclave are “deliberately sensationalized to be dramatic, entertaining, and profitable.”

“They are far removed from the reverent and prayerful reality of the actual event,” he said.

Instead of speculating or lobbying for preferred candidates, Cardinal David called on Catholics to focus on prayer and spiritual preparation.

“Let us accompany the electors with our prayers, not our preferences,” he said. 

“Let us fast from speculation and feast on hope.”

The cardinal reminded the faithful that the leadership of the Church is ultimately in God’s hands.

“Above all, let us keep our gaze on Christ, the true Head of the Church, who alone can give us the Pope we need—not the one we think we want,” he said.

Cardinal David’s post comes amid rising online discussions and speculation about potential successors to Pope Francis.

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for more than a decade, passed away in Rome at the age of 88.