In a lighthearted moment back in 2015, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines chuckled when asked if he ever envisioned himself becoming the Pope. “I’m making a public confession here. I can’t even handle my own life. So, how could I even imagine overseeing a global community?”
Nevertheless, Tagle is often mentioned as a potential successor to Pope Francis. If he were to be appointed, he would make history as the first Asian Pope in modern times.
Affectionately referred to as “Chito,” Tagle has earned the nickname “Asian Francis” for his progressive views and down-to-earth way of living. He’s openly criticized the harsh treatment of single mothers, and people who are gay or divorced. While serving as the bishop of Imus, a city near Manila, he invited the underprivileged to join him for meals in jeepneys and inexpensive public transport.
With a friendly disposition and unpretentious attitude, Tagle enjoys singing and dancing. His appearances on TikTok have gained significant popularity. Karaoke, essentially a national pastime, has added to his notoriety in the Philippines.
“When he speaks, he’s not your typical formal priest. He sings; he embodies Filipino culture. He’s like a karaoke priest,” remarked Michael Xiao Chua, a historian from DeLa Salle University. Tagle’s casual approach and rockstar-like demeanor have made him quite popular after Mass, with many eager to greet him.
At 67, Tagle was born in Imus to Catholic parents who worked in a bank. “He really comes from a solid background,” shared Sister Mary John Mananzan, a member of the Benedictine missionaries who has known Tagle for years.
However, his rise within the Catholic hierarchy hasn’t been without complications. He served as president from 2015 until 2022 when a leadership team was dismissed due to concerns regarding fraud management. Tagle wasn’t involved in the day-to-day operations, and officials stated that the decision had no ties to any allegations of sexual misconduct or financial mismanagement.
In March this year, a group advocating for survivors of priest abuse called for an investigation into Tagle and five other cardinals concerning their handling of child abuse cases tied to Caritas Internationalis in New Zealand and the Central African Republic. Tagle hasn’t publicly responded to these calls.
Critics argue that Tagle hasn’t done enough to address the issue of sexual abuse within the church. Ann Barrett Doyle, co-director of Bishopaccountability.org, expressed concerns last week, stating that the Philippine church is in a “dark age” regarding these matters and that no guidelines for reporting allegations have been published on relevant church platforms. She questioned Tagle’s capability to lead the global church as Pope, saying, “If he cannot even publish guidelines in his own country for his fellow bishops, what can he hope to achieve?”
In response, the Philippine Catholic Bishops’ Conference defended Tagle, asserting that during his leadership as bishop of Manila and archbishop, he was actively involved in creating and implementing guidelines for handling sexual abuse cases. However, they noted that he no longer has direct authority over Philippine parishes. Tagle emphasized his commitment to a humble and responsive church that listens and acts to protect the vulnerable.
Tagle has faced criticism for his perceived hesitation in denouncing former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, which resulted in the deaths of around 30,000 people since 2016, many of whom were young men killed in the streets.
In 2017, he penned a letter denouncing the violence, stating, “We cannot govern the nation through killing; we cannot foster a humane Filipino culture this way.” Yet, some believe he should have expressed stronger condemnation sooner.
The Duterte administration posed significant challenges for the Catholic Church, leading some priests to risk backlash by publicly opposing the violence. Despite widespread international condemnation, Duterte remained highly popular among the Catholic majority in the Philippines.
Mananzan stated that Tagle isn’t typically one to condemn directly. “He’s made strong statements about extrajudicial killings, but he hasn’t really addressed Duterte as an individual,” she noted.
Tagle has also opposed the Philippine Reproductive Health Bill and has provided dissent with respect to family planning initiatives, including free birth control pills, as well as abortion rights.
Should Tagle eventually be named Pope, he would receive a significant welcome in the Philippines, where about 80% of the population identifies as Catholic.
Despite the country’s long-standing ties to the Catholic Church, some feel that the Philippines has always played a somewhat peripheral role in its representation, remarked historian Xiao Chua.
Pope Francis was the first non-European pope in centuries, and many believe this trend should be sustained going forward.
“It’s important to have another Pope from a region like this,” Chua concluded.
