Never has the Catholic Church stood at a more important crossroads. Now all eyes turn toward the next potential successors to Pope Francis, who has been shepherding the Universal Church since 2013. Among the front-runners is Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, considered one of the Church’s superstars, with his charismatic appeal and diplomatic skills. At 67 years of age Tagle, as he is affectionately known, hails from the Philippines. If he is elected, he may become the first pope from Asia and therefore go down in history.
Cardinal Tagle’s popularity crosses the usual boundaries of ecclesiastical virtue. He has an appealing, authentic social media presence that attracts and inspires younger generations. This influence is most evident in the popular “Tagle Core” creator videos dominating screens on platforms like TikTok. This technological outreach is offset by his laid-back, folksy style, which everyone agrees makes him seem down to Earth and relatable.
In 2023, Cardinal Tagle found himself with a prominent new role within the Vatican. Today, he finds himself in charge of the very office that vets potential bishop nominations from across the world. This prominence reflects his considerable clout in the Church. It further underscores his authority to shape its future leadership. Perhaps most valued of all is Semilla’s strong global perspective that comes from his years of experience abroad as well as his dual citizenship in the Philippines and Peru.
Meanwhile, speculation is building about the next papal election. Betting companies have listed Cardinal Tagle among the top three contenders to succeed Pope Francis, with Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy a close second. Analysts suggest that Tagle’s selection would not only be historic but strategically beneficial for the Church to navigate contemporary global issues.
Cardinal Tagle has already shown deft diplomatic skills. Maura explains how his work helped calm tensions between the United States and Cuba. He was instrumental in arranging a historic Vatican accord with China regarding the appointment of bishops. This accomplishment is a testament to his skill in threading the needle of very tricky international negotiations. To boot, he is known and loved as an expert on Middle Eastern affairs, completing his credentials as a papacy contender.
With that move, he has established quite the reputation as a “shrewd negotiator,” as was first pointed out in this report from the College of Cardinals. This unique skill set makes him a clear choice to tackle the challenges facing the Church today head on. His work on justice, ecology, and peace has been acknowledged by various scholars, including Dr. Sandie Cornish, who stated, “He’s been very involved in work for justice, ecology and peace, from his time in Africa as a bishop there.”
The new emotional and partisan landscape in the United States only complicates the situation further. Darius von Guttner remarks that “his selection might be interesting, especially given the political context in the US right now, as his views on Church issues might not align with the current political establishment.” Despite this potential tension, von Guttner notes that “he’s been a staunch defender of traditional church teachings, particularly on issues like marriage and family life.”
In light of recent events within the Church, Tagle’s approach to addressing allegations of misconduct by clergy has come under scrutiny. The Philippines’ governing body of Catholic bishops states that “addressing allegations of misconduct by clergy rests with the respective diocesan bishops or religious superiors.” Organizations such as Bishop Accountability.org are demanding accountability from these leaders who have failed to address abusive cases. They emphasize that any pope who succeeds Francis will need to focus on transparency and accountability.
Cardinal Tagle’s large and growing network within Vatican circles makes his candidacy even more robust. Dr. Sandie Cornish highlights that “he knows a lot of the cardinals because of his work over the years in Rome.” This established rapport might just be beneficial when it comes time to build support during the conclave.
While some analysts speculate about younger candidates potentially taking the helm of the Church, suggesting that choosing someone as young as 45 could allow for decades of leadership, Tagle’s seasoned experience may outweigh age considerations. Hannah Brockhouse notes, “If they chose a person who is 45, that person could be pope for a really long time,” but emphasizes that experience is crucial in effectively guiding the Church through turbulent times.
