Now that the Papal Conclave has started, people around the world are hearing about Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. While considered a dark horse among the list of candidates, Cardinal Tagle has managed to capture the enthusiasm of the Philippines and Filipinos abroad, most of whom are Catholic. He is already a worldwide curiosity, with pundits wondering if he just might be the first Asian Pope.
But who exactly is Cardinal Tagle, and why has he been compared to a rock star?
He is currently the Archbishop of Manila. But Cardinal Tagle is also a simple man, known for his humility and accessibility. But he is also widely interesting. Anecdotes and articles about him paint the picture of a man who takes public transportation, like jeepneys and tricycles to work.
He is an active presenter in two religious programs on Philippine television, and he has a big presence in social media. Younger Catholics appreciate his efforts to reach out and use technology to connect with his diocese, and with the country at large. He is also quite young for a papal candidate – only 55 year old. While this would be a good thing for Catholics who want someone more in-tune with the current religious climate and times, the age issue works against Tagle as he might not be considered experienced enough. Even Pope John Paul II was older when he was elected back in the 1970s (he was 58 years old).
Nevertheless, he seems to have been set on a life of the cloth from early on. From grade school to high school, he was in strong Catholic educational institutions. A graduate of Ateneo de Manila University with a BA in Pre-Divinity, Tagle then took an MA in Theology at the Loyola School of Theology. Afterwards, he traveled to Washington D.C. to take his Doctorate of Sacred Theology at the Catholic University of America, where he graduated Summa cum Laude.
From 1997 to 2002, he served under the then Cardinal Ratzinger in the International Theological Commission, a connection that might come in handy during the Conclave deliberations. Aside from English and Tagalog, Tagle can also speak Italian. Vaticanologist John Allen says he is “a genuine intellectual with a popular touch.”
And wouldn’t you know it, he sings too! Check out this video.
Regardless if Cardinal Tagle ascends to the Papacy or not, he certainly adds a new source of pride for Asians and Filipinos everywhere.
