Manila, March 26 -- The Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan has been elevated to a diocese.

Pope Leo XIV also appointed its current apostolic vicar, Moises Cuevas, 52, as its first bishop, according to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News website.

It said the announcement was made at the Vatican on Wednesday at noon local time (7 p.m., Manila time).

Cuevas has led the territory since September 2023 and is the youngest bishop in the Philippines.

The new diocese comprises 41 parishes and operates three seminaries and 14 schools serving more than 11,000 students across the province.

It also runs a home for the aged, the only such facility in the Mimaropa region, alongside various social and pas...