In KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan, the College of Cardinals is about to convene inside the Sistine Chapel to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church. Remarkably, the possibility of an Asian pope is on the horizon for the first time in history.
Among the 23 eligible cardinals from Asia, one name stands out repeatedly: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, often referred to as the “Philippine Francis.”
In his 67 years, Tagle has fostered a strong bond with Pope Francis. He represented the Pope in Asia during the 2015-16 special Jubilee Year and even made a short visit to Taipei, Taiwan. Tagle also accompanied Francis on his inaugural journey to Asia in 2014, particularly during the pontiff’s visit to South Korea.
This picture taken Aug. 10, 2018, shows a motorcyclist riding past the Holy Spirit Church in Yanshui, about an hour’s drive from the southern city of Tainan. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)
The home nation of Asian cardinals doesn’t necessarily reflect the number of Catholics there. In Japan, Catholics make up fewer than 0.5% of the population, but there is a Japanese cardinal who is reasonably active on social media. The largest Asian block of cardinals hails from majority-Hindu India, which has six to the predominately Catholic Philippines’ five.
Still, many Vatican watchers believe Cardinal Tagle remains the most likely Asian candidate, although his progressive stances may prove divisive. Tagle has publicly criticized the church for using “harsh words” in past criticisms of LGBTQ Catholics and remarried divorcees and advocates for a more flexible approach. This stance is in line with Pope Francis’ 2015 papal declaration that said the church needs to “avoid judgments which do not take into account the complexity of various situations.”
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo poses with relatives during a courtesy visit Feb. 14, 2015, at the Vatican. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images)
Should Tagle beat the odds and become the next pope, his election would energize the church’s progressive wing, as he would likely continue the liberal-leaning direction charted by Francis. His emphasis on serving the poor has won him admiration across Asia and beyond, as has his relatable style. Tagle reportedly prefers being called by his nickname “Chito,” rather than by his formal title.
Pope Francis officiating the General Audience in Saint Peter’s square. Pope Francis together with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. (Photo by Grzegorz Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
Thomas Tu shared a personal story about Tagle’s compassion, recalling an incident before the cardinal received his red hat. After a young seminarian died suddenly, Tagle chose to join the group of senior seminary members and personally visit the grieving family, later giving a moving sermon in which he “compared the church to a mother, similar to the one who had lost her son,” Tu said. “Tagle just has a way of reaching people that is special.”
Few dispute that the election of the next pope will be among the most consequential moments for the Catholic Church in decades. And, for the first time, candidates from Asia are now part of serious conversations about the future direction of the faith.
