Former Chief Justice Panganiban receives papal award from Pope Francis

Former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban Jr. received the papal award ‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice,’ the highest honor that lay people can receive from Pope Francis.

The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is a medal bestowed by the Holy Father on people who have rendered exemplary service to the Catholic Church.

The Manila Cathedral congratulated Panganiban, who sits as the President of the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica Foundation, in a Tuesday Instagram post.

“Chief Justice Artemio has been active in the conservation efforts for our Mother Church. Congratulations, CJ!” the caption read.

Panganiban served as the 21st Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Philippines from December 2005 to 2007. — DVM, GMA Integrated News