An Asian pope? Filipino cardinal emerges as frontrunner for papacy

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, of the Philippines, has emerged as among the leading candidates to succeed Pope Francis following the pontiff’s death on Monday. If elected, Tagle would become the first Asian pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.

Tagle, often referred to as the “Asian Francis” for his humility and progressive stance on key social issues, is currently one of the two frontrunners alongside Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. The secret conclave of 135 eligible cardinals is set to convene in May to elect the next pope.

Known for his inclusive views, he has advocated for a more compassionate approach toward LGBT individuals and divorced Catholics. His rising prominence was marked by his tribute to Pope Francis, quoting a line from a 2015 speech: “All I can do is keep silent, and I walk with you all in my silent heart.”

Born in Manila in 1957, Tagle was ordained a priest at age 24. He earned his doctorate in sacred theology in Washington, D.C. and returned to the Philippines to teach and lead seminary formation. He became Bishop of Imus in 2001 and Archbishop of Manila in 2011. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to cardinal.

Tagle was a key figure in the Church’s synods on family life and evangelization and was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 2019. Throughout his ministry, he has been recognized for his pastoral warmth, academic rigor and tireless service to marginalized communities. He is also known for rejecting clerical privilege — often riding jeepneys in Manila, living simply and engaging directly with laypeople.

Tagle currently serves as the Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization and New Particular Churches under the Dicastery for Evangelization. A respected theologian and former Archbishop of Manila, Tagle has held key roles within the Vatican, including President of Caritas Internationalis and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urban University.

His potential election would mark a historic shift in the Church’s leadership toward the global south. Asia, home to over 141 million Catholics, has never had a pope, despite being the site of some of the Church’s fastest-growing communities.

“Five or six years ago, he was Pope Francis’s favorite to succeed him … he’s quite a strong contender,” Edward Pentin, author of “The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates” told The Telegraph.

The conclave is scheduled for May, with 135 cardinals expected to vote. Vatican rules require a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope. While no single candidate dominates, observers note that with over two-thirds of voting cardinals appointed by Francis, the next pope is likely to uphold his vision of a Church that emphasizes mercy, outreach and social justice.

“Overall, I think the fact that by my count over 100 of the eligible papal electors were appointed by Francis could have a profound effect on the outcome,” Cristina Traina, a professor at Fordham University, told Newsweek. “That is, we may not get a pendulum swing away from Francis’ priorities.”