Vidal, who celebrated his 75th birth anniversary yesterday, said his tenure as Cebu archbishop now lies in the hands of the Pope but expressed his willingness to continue his apostolic work.

"If the Holy Father will allow me to stay and if the Cebuanos would want me to stay, I will stay (as archbishop of Cebu)," Vidal said.

The Code of Canon Law states that Catholic bishops are required to tender their resignation on their 75th birth anniversary. Vidal will remain the bishop of the ecclesiastical area until the Pope accepts his resignation.

A source inside the Cebu Archbishop’s Palace, however, revealed that there is a big possibility that the Pope will not accept Vidal’s retirement "because he is still very strong and able."

Should the Pope accept his resignation, Vidal said he will stay in Cebu and continue serving the Cebuanos that have become "so dear to me."

During the early morning mass he officiated yesterday, the Cardinal expressed his gratitude to the people of Cebu for continuously supporting him in all his endeavors and thanked God "for giving me strength and good health to continue serving the people."

"I hope the Lord will grant me some more years to serve the people," he said, when asked what is his birthday wish.

Among the special guests who joined Vidal yesterday was Papal Nuncio in the Philippines Archbishop Antonio Franco and several bishops.

Vidal and Franco led the formal opening and blessing of the room that contains the cardinal’s memorabilia at the second floor of the archbishop’s residence.

Vidal was ordained priest on March 17, 1956 and 15 years later, he was elected bishop.