Cardinal Tagle Poised to Become the First Asian Pope After Pope Francis' Passing

April 21, 2025 | 05:56 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pope Francis, the supreme leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 in his residence at Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City.

Following his passing, the process of selecting a new pope will begin. According to Al Jazeera, this process can take several days, weeks, or even longer, depending on the outcome of the voting by the cardinals.

The conclave can conduct up to four voting rounds each day to reach the required two-thirds majority. If no candidate is elected after 33 rounds, the two frontrunners will proceed to a final runoff vote.

One of the prominent figures expected to succeed Pope Francis is Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines. The 67-year-old cardinal is widely seen as a strong contender who could carry forward Pope Francis’ progressive vision for the Church.

According to Newsweek, Tagle is an advocate for inclusion and evangelism. He has significant experience in leading the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and is a trusted figure within Francis' inner circle.

"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," said Cristina Traina, a professor at Northwestern University. 

"That is, we may not get a pendulum swing away from Francis' priorities."

Tagle, of Asian descent, has drawn attention. The Catholic religion is growing rapidly on the continent, especially in the Philippines.

Born on June 21, 1957, in Manila, Philippines, Tagle has long been known for his deep theological insights, pastoral care, and commitment to the Church's social mission. According to Asian Journal, he was ordained as a priest in 1982.

Tagle quickly drew attention for his ability to combine intellectual precision with a deep connection to society, especially the marginalized. His academic pursuits led him to earn a doctoral degree in theology from the prestigious Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle began his ecclesiastical career with his appointment as Bishop of Imus in 2001. He became Archbishop of Manila in 2011, a role that significantly elevated his influence.

Known for his strong commitment to social justice, human dignity, and poverty alleviation, Tagle has earned widespread admiration both in the Philippines and internationally.

His leadership within the Church took a major step forward in 2012 when Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to the College of Cardinals, marking the start of his deeper involvement in Vatican affairs.

If chosen, Tagle will make history as the first pope from Asia in the modern era. His selection would reflect the growing presence of the Church in the southern hemisphere, particularly in regions such as Asia and Africa, where the Catholic population is rapidly expanding.

However, his nomination is not without challenges. Conservative groups within the Church may view his progressive stance on issues such as climate change, poverty alleviation, and the rights of marginalized groups as too closely linked to Pope Francis' agenda.

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