Cardinal Tagle named assistant for conclave preparations
In preparation for the upcoming conclave on May 7, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has been named among the cardinals assisting the Camerlengo.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines announced that Tagle, along with two other cardinals chosen by lottery for the "Particular Congregation," will assist the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, with logistical and procedural preparations for the upcoming papal conclave.
Joining Tagle are Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, and Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura. Marx will coordinate the Council for the Economy, while Mamberti will also have the task of announcing the new pope from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.
According to CBCP, "The three cardinals are replaced by the General Congregation every three days, as provided by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis that lays down the procedures for papal elections."
Currently serving as the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Vatican, Tagle is one of three Filipino cardinals eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave, along with Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David and Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula. A total of 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the election of the Church's 267th pontiff and successor to Pope Francis.
Dubbed by some as the “Asian Pope Francis,” Tagle has been reported as one of the “papabili,” or a contender to be the next Pope.
He was appointed Bishop of Imus and was ordained in 2001. He moved further in the ranks with his appointment as Archbishop of Manila in 2011 before being elevated by Pope Benedict XVI to the College of Cardinals in 2012.
When Francis became Pope, Tagle was tasked to become the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, which is responsible for missionary work and related activities.
