MANILA, Dec. 30 -- Pope Francis on Sunday appointed Bishop Roberto Mallari to lead the 61-year-old Diocese of Tarlac.

The pontiff made the announcement in Rome around 7 p.m. Manila time.

Mallari replaces the late Bishop Enrique Macaraeg who passed away in October 2023. He has been serving as San Jose, Nueva Ecija bishop since July 2012.

As Tarlac bishop, Mallari will oversee a diocese with around 60 parishes and a population of more than 1.2 million Catholics.

Born in Masantol, Pampanga, he completed his major seminary formation at San Carlos Seminary in Makati City and holds a master's degree in spirituality from the Priests School for Asia in Tagaytay City and furthered his studies at the School for Priests in Florence, Italy.

Mall...