Pope Leo XIV has initiated preparations for the eventual conclave that will determine his successor by appointing Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines as the new dean of the College of Cardinals. This strategic move, announced on Friday, effectively elevates Tagle’s profile as a potential papal candidate in the future.
At 69 years old, Tagle currently leads the Vatican's evangelization office and will succeed Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is 92 years old. The role of the dean carries significant weight during papal transitions and often identifies the dean as a leading contender for the papacy. The dean is responsible for conducting the funeral of the sitting pope and facilitating the closed-door meetings of the cardinals prior to the election, where they deliberate on the future direction of the church. If he remains under 80 years of age during the conclave, the dean is also actively involved in overseeing the secret election process in the Sistine Chapel.
Once a new pope is elected, it is the dean who approaches the elected individual to confirm their acceptance of the papacy and to inquire about the name they wish to be known by. According to the Vatican announcement, Leo XIV approved the collective decision made by six senior cardinals to elect Tagle as dean, considering him the youngest among them, which suggests that he is expected to hold the position for a substantial duration.
Tagle, who previously served as the archbishop of Manila, had been identified as a potential candidate in the conclave that elected Leo XIV in 2025. His new high-profile role as dean significantly enhances his "papabile" standing for any future conclave, where he might become a leading contender to become the first pope from Asia. Historical precedence exists for such promotions, notably when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger served as the dean before being elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
Another notable figure in this context is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 71, who currently serves as Pope Francis’ secretary of state. Parolin was also mentioned as a potential candidate during the 2025 conclave. In early 2025, as his health was deteriorating, Pope Francis extended the tenure of Battista Re, indicating his desire for a reliable and loyal cardinal to oversee the conclave following his passing, notwithstanding Re’s status as a non-contender for the papacy.
Simultaneously, during his papacy, Francis appointed Cardinal Robert Prevost as a new cardinal, further amplifying his profile as "papabile," denoting he possesses the characteristics of a future pope. The dynamics among these key figures illustrate the complexities and strategic considerations involved in the Vatican's hierarchy as it approaches a significant leadership transition.
