Rome — Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, often dubbed the “Asian Francis,” has emerged as a prominent figure among potential successors to Pope Francis, thanks to his pastoral warmth, theological depth, and global appeal.
Tagle, 67, is widely admired for his infectious smile, easy laugh, and down-to-earth demeanor—traits that have drawn comparisons to the late Pope Francis. Like Francis, Tagle comes from outside Europe, the Church’s historical power center, and brings a fresh, inclusive perspective to the Vatican.
As the College of Cardinals prepares for a conclave to elect the next pope, Tagle’s name is once again surfacing on informal shortlists. Analysts say that if the Church seeks to continue Francis’ progressive direction, Tagle could be a natural choice.
“He would represent a continuity of what Pope Francis has been doing,” said Rev. Emmanuel Alfonso, a long-time friend and former student. “He’s really like Pope Francis in terms of his love for the poor, his approachability, and so on.”
Currently heading the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, Tagle oversees the Church’s missionary work, granting him significant influence over developing countries’ national churches. His leadership roles include former Archbishop of Manila and Bishop of Imus in the Philippines—Asia’s largest Catholic nation.
If elected, Tagle would become the first modern-day pope from Asia, though some early popes hailed from regions now part of the Middle East.
His path to the Vatican wasn’t without controversy. In 2020, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte accused Tagle of political interference when he was reassigned to Rome—allegations strongly denied by the Philippine bishops’ conference.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, a close ally, dismissed Duterte’s claim as “unbelievably ludicrous.”
Despite this, Tagle remains widely respected. He famously hosted Pope Francis during his 2015 visit to the Philippines, which drew historic crowds—up to 7 million people attended the closing Mass.
Fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, and Tagalog, Tagle also brings theological credibility, having served under Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) on the Vatican’s International Theological Commission.
However, questions linger over his administrative acumen. In 2022, Tagle was removed from his ceremonial role at Caritas Internationalis after a Vatican-ordered leadership shakeup due to internal management issues. He was not implicated in any wrongdoing and was generally admired by staff.
Supporters say Tagle’s blend of spiritual authenticity and intellectual rigor makes him a strong candidate, especially for cardinals looking to uphold Francis’ reforms while offering a steady hand.
“He radiates joy and connects easily with people,” said Rev. Robert Reyes, a seminary classmate. “Even as a bishop, he lived simply. He didn’t even own a car—he would hitch rides like any ordinary person.”
While 67 is considered young by Vatican standards, Tagle’s age could work in his favor, offering the potential for a pontificate long enough to cement reform, but not so lengthy as to discourage consensus among cardinals.
As the conclave draws near, many eyes will be on the Filipino cardinal—who, with a deep love for the poor and a legacy of pastoral compassion, might just be the next spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
