Pope Francis has bestowed on nine lay Catholics, five of them business leaders, the Cross Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice medal for being “models to inspire othrers to follow the path of love and service.

Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila conferred the prestigious papal awards following a Mass at the Manila Cathedral.

Honored with the papal medal were business leaders Ramon del Rosario Jr., of PHINMA; Manuel Pangilinan of Metro Pacific Investment Corp., Fernando Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Corp., Maria Goolsby and Arnulfo Verdico of UnionBank.

Del Rosario, Pangilinan and Ayala are trustees of Caritas Manila while Goolsby and Verdico were recognized as “steadfast supporters of the archdiocese’s social action arm.

Also cited for their distinguished service to the Catholic church were Roselina Quismundo, Elmer Sy, Tomasita Lim and Corazon Rodriguez from the Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Joseph in Manila’s Sta Cruz district.

Expressing gratitude, Cardinal Advincula praised the awardees as long-time partners and collaborators in the archdiocese's mission and evangelization efforts.

“And, unworthy as I am, in the name of our Holy Father Pope Francis and the Church of Manila, we thank you for your commitment to the teachings of the Church and for your selfless service, which has touched the lives of many, leaving indelible marks on those you have served,” Advincula said in his homily.

However, the cardinal emphasized that receiving the award does not imply retirement from their services.

He stressed that it signifies a call to continue and intensify their efforts. He urged them to seek opportunities to do good and extend God's care, compassion, healing, and love to others.

In a broader message to the lay faithful, Cardinal Advincula encouraged them to follow the example of Jesus by performing acts of kindness to those in need. He stressed the invitation for all, despite feelings of unworthiness, to be instruments of service, care, proclamation of the Good News, and vessels of compassion and love.

The Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal, instituted in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII, features a gold Greek cross adorned with images of apostles Peter and Paul, along with the reigning pope's name in Latin.