Manila, April 26 -- The Bishop of the Diocese of Kalookan and one of the electors in the forthcoming conclave, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, has appealed to Roman Catholics to offer prayers for the cardinals who will elect the successor of the late Pope Francis next month.

In a social media post on Friday night, he noted that praying would be a much better move than pushing for certain candidates.

"Instead, let us accompany the electors with our prayers, not our preferences. Let us fast from speculation and feast on hope. Let us encourage one another to deepen our faith, trusting that the Lord - who has not abandoned His Church - will once again raise up a shepherd after His own heart," David said.

"Like Christ who is fully divine ...