A senior official from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is among those who could be elected as the next leader of the Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis.
“Si Cardinal Tagle, okay naman, puwede siyang manalo pero ang Espiritu Santo magdedesisyon,” said Fr. Francis Lucas, CBCP director for broadcast, during an interview on GMA’s Unang Balita.
Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, following a stroke and heart failure. With his passing, cardinals under the age of 80 will soon gather for a conclave to choose a new pontiff.
Fr. Lucas explained that while the process involves discussions among cardinals from around the world, it is not a campaign. “Pagdating ng mga cardinal, magmeeting-meeting sila, mag-uusap-usap, tsika-tsika, at maaaring ilinya nila kung anu-ano sa pag-inog ng panahon ngayon ang uri ng kailangang papa,” he said. “Pero pagpasok sa conclave, wala na ‘yun. Nakakulong na sila doon. Maghihintay na lang sila ng pagboto ng bawat isang cardinal elector.”
Cardinal Tagle, currently based in the Vatican, has long been considered a potential papal contender and is frequently referred to as the “Asian Francis” for his pastoral approach and focus on social justice. If elected, he would be the first pope from Asia.
Fr. Lucas also honored Pope Francis, recalling his visit to Tacloban in 2015 after Typhoon Yolanda and his preference for humility over tradition. “He encouraged priests to be ‘shepherds with the smell of the sheep,’” he said, noting how the late pope chose to wear simple black shoes instead of the traditional red ones worn by his predecessors.
