Could the next Head of the Catholic Church be Filipino?
On February 18, the Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Francis was diagnosed with double pneumonia after being hospitalized on February 14 for bronchitis. Additional tests revealed a polymicrobial infection linked to his bronchitis, requiring “complex” therapeutic treatment. After he was discharged from hospital on March 25, he continued to work on a reduced schedule. Then, on the morning of Easter Monday, April 21, Pope Francis died of stroke and heart failure at age 88.
Since the pontiff’s condition emerged, conversations have sparked about who is likely to succeed him. Speculation about Pope Francis’ successor has been ongoing for years, with senior Vatican correspondent Edward Pentin even releasing an authoritative book in 2020 titled The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates.
Although any male Roman Catholic could technically be elected Pope, the position is typically filled from within the College of Cardinals. After a pope’s death or resignation, a conclave is convened at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, where cardinals vote to determine the next heir of St. Peter.
One strong candidate for Pope Francis’ successor is Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the seventh Filipino to be assigned the rank of cardinal in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Dubbed the “Asian Pope Francis,” Tagle has shown more left-leaning views similar to those of Pope Francis.
Seen as representing the Church’s progressive wing, Tagle has previously criticized the Church’s harsh treatment against LGBTQ+ Catholics. In an interview in 2015, he argued that the Church’s “severe” stance towards gay people, single mothers, and divorcees has left these members of the community “branded.” Tagle has long been seen as a papacy contender, with news outlets even speculating in 2013 about his candidacy during the papal conclave that eventually elected Pope Francis. If Tagle were to be elected the next pope after Pope Francis, he would be the first Asian to hold the papacy.
Other strong contenders include a range of cardinals representing both the progressive and conservative sides of the Church. For example, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a favorite among papal speculators, stands out due to his 11-year tenure as the Vatican’s secretary of state. Seen as a moderate, Parolin would likely continue Pope Francis’ legacy. Another top contender, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has voiced conservative views, including declaring the doctrine of Fiducia supplicans — which permits priests to bless same-sex and unmarried couples — as unacceptable in Africa.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated on April 22, 2025, to add crucial details regarding Pope Francis’ death on April 21, which have now been incorporated for clarity and accuracy.
