Three Filipino cardinals will play a key role in choosing the next pope following the death of Pope Francis, a top church official confirmed.
Fr. Antonio Labiao Jr., rector and parish priest of the Cathedral Shrine and Parish of the Good Shepherd, said the Filipino Catholic community will be represented by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David during the papal conclave in Rome.
“Three Filipino cardinals ang magiging aktibo sa pagpili, pwede silang mapili, at sila ang pumipili sa bagong Santo Papa,” Labiao said in a radio interview.
Cardinal Tagle, currently based in Rome, serves as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization. Cardinal Advincula is the Archbishop of Manila, while Cardinal David leads the Diocese of Kalookan. All three were elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis himself.
The conclave, a centuries-old tradition, will begin in the coming days with 135 cardinal-electors — those under the age of 80 — expected to vote behind closed doors. A new pope must gain a two-thirds majority vote to be proclaimed.
“Ang active Cardinals this time ay mga 135. So, ang two-thirds noon ang dapat maabot nila bago ma-proclaim ang Santo Papa,” Labiao explained.
The process begins with a special Mass, followed by daily secret ballots — two each day — until consensus is reached.
“Usually, tinatanggap ‘yan for the sake of the Church and for the sake of our faith,” Labiao added, referring to the pope-elect’s acceptance of the role.
Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. His papacy, marked by bold reforms and strong emphasis on compassion and social justice, left a lasting impact on the global Catholic Church.
